A Christmas Message
My husband recently posted on our adoption agency's forum his feelings on fatherhood and the special role Joseph played in the Christmas miracle. I want to share this with my readers because I am so proud of John, who is also a righteous man.
This Christmas, I won't be looking under the tree to see what kinds of gifts I possess. All I have to do is look on the other end of the couch and see the joy in my husband's face as he watches his only son open his presents. What greater gift could I want than a good man to help raise our son?
Merry Christmas, my friends.
As posted on the Abrazo Adoption Associates forum:
Every Christmas since I became a father, I've spent some time thinking about Joseph. Perhaps it's because he "adopted" Jesus, as I adopted Hendrick. Perhaps it's because he's a bit of a mystery, despite his central place in the Christmas miracle.
Most likely, it's because I have an affinity for the forgotten. And, let's face it, that's what Joseph is. In the hymns we sing, in the stories and poems we read, we learn of gentle Mary, the virgin mother, and her undeniable love for God and a tiny baby who would become the King of Kings. But what of Joseph?
I've been reading Hendrick a book on the Christmas story. The writers of the book mention the wise men, the shepherds and Mary. They mention the donkey and the ox and the Christmas star. But Joseph? Not a word.
And why not talk about Joseph? God may have been Jesus' "biological" parent, but it was Joseph, the father, who taught Jesus the skills of a carpenter. It was Joseph, the father, who spirited his family to Egypt to save them from the wrath of Herod. It was Joseph, the father, who gathered the family to go to temple.
The Bible tells us that Joseph was a man of God, and indeed he did right by Mary, his betrothed. And from all we know, he did right by our Lord and Savior.
Mothers so often are the central figures in our culture. Athletes give shout-outs to their moms on national television. Moms are the providers, nurturers and healers of every hurt. Whenever we see a father, he is usually bemused, sometimes besotted and often inconsequential.
But, if we read it carefully enough, the Bible tells us just how important a father is. Our Savior's earthly father was needed and was necessary. If we pay attention, we'll know that Joseph was not inconsequential at all. He provided an environment in which Jesus could fulfill His promise. In essence, this adoptive father also helped to give us the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world.
As Hendrick grows, I will read him the story of Luke. And he will learn that on the night our Savior was born, the angels sang, the shepherds stood in awe and Mary cradled the Son in her arms, pondering in her heart all that was said. But I will tell our son one more thing: That beside Mary stood a righteous man, a man equally chosen by God to provide a strong family for our growing Lord. I will teach our son that, even as Mary loved her little child, Joseph loved Him, too.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
John
This Christmas, I won't be looking under the tree to see what kinds of gifts I possess. All I have to do is look on the other end of the couch and see the joy in my husband's face as he watches his only son open his presents. What greater gift could I want than a good man to help raise our son?
Merry Christmas, my friends.
As posted on the Abrazo Adoption Associates forum:
Every Christmas since I became a father, I've spent some time thinking about Joseph. Perhaps it's because he "adopted" Jesus, as I adopted Hendrick. Perhaps it's because he's a bit of a mystery, despite his central place in the Christmas miracle.
Most likely, it's because I have an affinity for the forgotten. And, let's face it, that's what Joseph is. In the hymns we sing, in the stories and poems we read, we learn of gentle Mary, the virgin mother, and her undeniable love for God and a tiny baby who would become the King of Kings. But what of Joseph?
I've been reading Hendrick a book on the Christmas story. The writers of the book mention the wise men, the shepherds and Mary. They mention the donkey and the ox and the Christmas star. But Joseph? Not a word.
And why not talk about Joseph? God may have been Jesus' "biological" parent, but it was Joseph, the father, who taught Jesus the skills of a carpenter. It was Joseph, the father, who spirited his family to Egypt to save them from the wrath of Herod. It was Joseph, the father, who gathered the family to go to temple.
The Bible tells us that Joseph was a man of God, and indeed he did right by Mary, his betrothed. And from all we know, he did right by our Lord and Savior.
Mothers so often are the central figures in our culture. Athletes give shout-outs to their moms on national television. Moms are the providers, nurturers and healers of every hurt. Whenever we see a father, he is usually bemused, sometimes besotted and often inconsequential.
But, if we read it carefully enough, the Bible tells us just how important a father is. Our Savior's earthly father was needed and was necessary. If we pay attention, we'll know that Joseph was not inconsequential at all. He provided an environment in which Jesus could fulfill His promise. In essence, this adoptive father also helped to give us the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world.
As Hendrick grows, I will read him the story of Luke. And he will learn that on the night our Savior was born, the angels sang, the shepherds stood in awe and Mary cradled the Son in her arms, pondering in her heart all that was said. But I will tell our son one more thing: That beside Mary stood a righteous man, a man equally chosen by God to provide a strong family for our growing Lord. I will teach our son that, even as Mary loved her little child, Joseph loved Him, too.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
John
posted by Nina Rizzo at 9:25 PM
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