"A craftsman, a just man" 

Reading the story of the birth of Christ raises so many questions. Characters in the story appear and disappear so quickly before we can ask them anything. The Innkeeper who was too busy to welcome God-did he ever realise who he had turned away? Whatever happened to the shepherds? Who did they tell about the angels? What reaction did they get? Did they try to describe the song the Angels sang to others? Whatever happened to those wise men? I have questions for Joseph and about Joseph. Whatever happened to Joseph? He makes an appearance when Jesus was twelve, then never reappears and we are left to speculate about the rest of his life.

I then have one final question concerning this part of God’s story; is Joseph the right choice for Jesus’ earthly father? Matthew describes Joseph as a craftsman. (Matthew 13:55) He was a carpenter in a small town. Why Joseph? Why not a scholar or a priest? I believe a major part of the answer lies in his reputation: he gives it up for Jesus. (Matthew 1:19) tells us,” Then Joseph, Mary’s husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.” With the phrase ‘a just man,’ Matthew recognizes the status of Joseph. In his town he was viewed as we might view an elder of the church or a Bible teacher. Joseph probably took pride in his standing so the announcement from Mary that she was pregnant would have jeopardized it. What would he do? His fiancée would be considered tainted or blemished. He is righteous, godly. He has the law and he has his love. The law says stone her and love says forgive her. He has a decision to make and then the angel comes informing him this is not a cause for concern but a reason to rejoice; “She carries the Son of God in her womb.” That’s marvellous but who is going to believe it? The dilemma now facing him is to make up a lie and preserve his place in the community or tell the truth and kiss his reputation goodbye. He makes this decision; “Joseph…took to him his wife and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.” (Matthew 1:24-25)

Joseph swapped his Torah studies for his pregnant fiancée and the son she carried and made the big decision of discipleship. He placed God’s plan ahead of his own. God knew exactly what he was doing when he chose Joseph and he knows exactly what he is doing when he chooses you and me. Our challenge is the same one Joseph faced; as we enter 2026 will we put God’s plans for our lives ahead of our own? Will our decision making be made in light of putting God first in our lives? Let me encourage each one of us to do so and follow the wonderful example of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly Father.

Keith Saynor
Pastor
1st January 2026