Obviously, Mary has a prominent role in the Christmas story, and standing beside her in every manger scene is another hero. Joseph may have a more behind the scenes role, but he is a hero nonetheless. Matthew’s Gospel unfolds Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s perspective.

“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph” (Matthew 1:18). Everything is going well for Joseph. He has met the love of his life, and they are engaged. They are planning their future together, but there is a sudden change in plans.

Matthew 1:18 continues, “…But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.” This was not exactly the future Joseph had planned, and at first, he didn’t fully understand the situation. So, “Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly” (Matthew 1:19). This is a deep look into Joseph’s character.

Social standards of the day gave Joseph every right to blast Mary. Society said the more public humiliation Joseph could have poured on Mary the better, but he doesn’t want to respond in that way. He is unsure of how to move forward, but he knows revenge is not the road he is going to take.

As Joseph develops his future plan, he allows his faith to guide him. Matthew 1:20-21 continues, “…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

“When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus” (Matthew 1:24-25).

Because of his faith, Joseph listened to the Lord. He didn’t allow the sudden change in course to derail his life plan with Mary. Through every step of the pregnancy, birth, and years to follow, Joseph was right beside Mary. People may have criticized him for the decision to stay, but Joseph didn’t mind. He knew the Lord was working in their lives, and Joseph was happy to walk beside Mary on life’s journey.

In many ways, Joseph is an unsung hero of the Christmas story. He doesn’t hold great attention in the narrative, but he’s a hero nonetheless. He gave much and helped greatly.

Without Joseph, Christmas wouldn’t be the same.

As we celebrate Christmas, I hope the unsung heroes of today find encouragement in Joseph. Our families and our communities would not be the same without you.

Thanks for reading.