Fr. Duncan+

Thank you. 
 
Charles+

--- Knox Duncan <knoxduncan@...> wrote:
> 
> 
> So as not to neglect St. Joseph this  Christmastide,
> herewith words from St. John's Anglican Church on
> Christmas Eve.
> 
> Christmastide, for Anglicans, lasts until January 6:
> the Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the
> Gentiles. The flesh and blood leading roles in the
> Nativity play, of course, are the Baby Jesus, Mary,
> and Joseph. All commentators have noted that, while
> St. Luke tells the story of the Nativity from the
> point of view of Mary, St. Matthew tells it from
> that of Joseph. This Gospel tells us almost all that
> is recorded of his character. Joseph was a "just"
> man, that is to say, he upheld "justice," that is
> the Law and the Prophets. He was betrothed to a
> young woman found to be pregnant, a legally binding
> contract voidable only by a "bill of divorcement."
> (Deut. 24:1) Certainly her well-being, if not her
> life, was in danger, should the Law of Moses be
> applied strictly. Tradition holds that Joseph was a
> middle-aged man, and finds support in his careful
> deliberation. He balanced the claims of justice and
> compassion, he "thought on these things," unwilling
> to act on literal or mechanical impulse. St. Matthew
> pictures Joseph as being guided by a dream. Don't be
> afraid to take Mary as your wife. She's a good
> woman. The Holy Ghost, the creative power of God, is
> at work. Call him Jesus, the salvation of Jehovah...
> not an uncommon name among the Jews in its Greek and
> Hebrew form, Joshua.  But this Jesus was to save his
> people, not from Roman rule or from problems and
> dangers but from spiritual enemies that imperiled
> its life more deeply. The note added by Matthew
> about the prophet Isaiah is significant: "Now all
> this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
> spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a
> virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a
> son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
> being interpreted is, God with us." The main thought
> of the prophet seems to be that a child shall be
> born whose coming shall express the idea of the
> Divine Presence with Israel." Joseph gave the
> protection of marriage to Mary, perhaps the supreme
> example of the way God works, through human agency. 
> Joseph's choice to stand by Mary crowned him with
> honor no king can claim. He lived to see the child
> Jesus "in His Father's House" (Luke 2:49)  Like
> Mary, Joseph failed to comprehend Christ's ironic
> question, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not
> know that I must be in my father's house?" Then
> Joseph's  figure recedes into the background. His
> job was done. Probably he died before our Lord's
> public ministry began. 
> 
> 
> May the blessings of Christmas remain with you
> throughout the New Year!
> 


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