My daughter couldn't help but wonder why Christmas traditions are the way they are. She's 13 and she feels gypped.
She asked me why it is okay to let a fat man in through the chimney in the middle of the night ... and even serve him milk and cookies. Also, why do people cut down trees, bring them indoors and then throw them out? Finally, why do movies portray "saving Christmas" as helping Santa deliver his gifts to all the good boys and girls.
Here is a true story. There was a guy whose situation was so weird, he felt gypped at first. But without him, Christmas would not have happened.
A middle aged construction worker has a 16-year old girlfriend. (Isn't that an offense?) Then, she finds out she is pregnant and not by her boyfriend. She is frightened to let her boyfriend know. She goes to visit and hide at her 50-year-old cousin's who also happens to be pregnant. (This is getting bizarre.)
Finally, she has the courage to go back home. Her pregnancy shows. Her parents are livid. They try to hide her. Her boyfriend finds out and is outraged. What should her boyfriend do?
Against reasonableness, the boyfriend marries the 16-year old girl.
By now, you have figured out that you been reading the story of Joseph the carpenter.
Joseph could have left Mary and her family to suffer shame and humiliation from a "virgin conception". Worse, in those days, pregnant women who were not married were stoned to death!
You can think that Joseph wanted to save Mary from humiliation or death, so he did the noble thing. But the real reason was even as weird as the immaculate conception.
He was told what to do in a dream. And he believed! What a leap of faith!
He went on to love Mary and dedicate his life protecting Mary and Jesus. Without Joseph, Mary would have been stoned to death. Without Joseph, Mary would not have made it to Bethlehem to give birth.
St. Joseph the carpenter saved Christmas.
When we read this story without the context of the scriptures, and it sounds too unusual to be true. The situation and characters defy reasonableness, they could be featured in a talk show.
But since we know it is the story of Mary and Joseph, we accept the weirdness. It is part of our faith.
Today, I give thanks and recognition to a fellow father and a caring husband. His actions form part of our faith, and contributed to the raising of the Saviour of the World. A billion and a half people around the world celebrate Christmas because of him.
Here's to Joseph. And my wish is for us to keep our faith.
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