Today we hear about the annunciation to Joseph, which is not as celebrated as the Annunciation to Mary. There are some notable details that add poignancy to the situation. First: "before they lived together, she was found to be with child" (Mtt 1: 18). This means that knowledge of Our Lady's pregnancy was apparent to others in the community outside of Joseph. Second, Joseph was a "righteous man" which means that he had a public reputation as adhering to the Torah, which was a challenging thing to do especially if you were not a Pharisee. Nevertheless, despite the damage to his reputation he "... unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly." (Mtt 1: 19) This shows he had a merciful heart. Third, after the angel appears to him in a dream to explain the situation: "When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him." (Mtt 1: 24) In this way he was obedient to God just as Our Lady was when she consented to bear the Son of God even though she was a virgin. Joseph does this even though he knows that his reputation as a "righteous man" will suffer even more leaving him open to public scorn and mockery. That Jesus' parentage was questioned is indicated in the Gospel of John when in dispute with the Pharisees they say: " 'We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself'." (Jn 8:41) In doing so they cast shade on Jesus' parentage which may be a slur that followed him all his life. As we hear of the Christmas story, therefore, we are reminded of the courage and sanctity of the parents of Jesus which lay the foundation for the Holy Family which we celebrate in a feast on the Sunday after the feast of the Nativity of Jesus.
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