His Father the Carpenter

introduction  | day one  | day two  | day three

His Father the Carpenter
Awe & Wonder - A Christmas Series

I remember the day my oldest Son was born. I remember the day my second son was born. I remember the days when number there and number 4 were born. And I will never forget the day when my little girl, number 5 was born.

I cried. Not ashamed to say it. I cried for each one. heck, I’m getting a little emotional just think about them. It was a moment of exhilaration and celebration. For nine longs months, Amy and I waited for their arrivals. We wondered what they would look like, what their personalities would be like, and who they would grow up to be. They were sweet moments, that I hope I will never, ever forget.

​I often think about Joseph, and wonder what he was thinking during those nine months. Here is a guy, a tradesman. looking forward to his wedding date and a new life with his wife. He works hard to prepare and provide. In the eyes of the villagers and friends, he’s a righteous man, perhaps with a good reputation, that’s way Mary’s father has consented to the marriage. Things are looking pretty good for Joseph.

Then the news. Mary is pregnant.

​It comes like an out of control ox cart and plows him over. His mind fills with thoughts. His heart explodes with emotion. How? How could she? What will people think? What will people say?

The embarrassment. The shame.

But then again, Joseph is a good man. Right? So he decides to divorce her, quietly, so not to make Mary out to be something she’s not.
Then comes the angel. More news. This time the news is from God.

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“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21 NIV)

How does a guy respond to something like that? This was huge. A baby. A son. Made possible by the Holy Spirit. And he would save his people from their sins… If I am Joseph, I think I would have a lot of question. But like Mary, we’re not told anything accept the choice to be obedient.

Joseph, like Mary, trusted God. He said say to what God was asking. Though it turned his world upside down, Joseph chose to be obedient. Matthew 1:24-25 say, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

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Joseph, like Mary, trusted God.

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The next time we hear about Joseph, or Mary for that matter is in Luke 2. They arrive in Bethlehem and the city is packed. The only space for Joseph and his young wife is in a stable. It’s not ideal, but Mary is ready to give birth so it’ll have to do.

Then it happens. Mary gives birth and now Joseph must become the father of this little life.

I love the scene the the movie, The Nativity Story, where Mary and Joseph, are in the stable and Jesus arrives. Joseph waits to receive this new life. Then it comes. He lifts it up, with a smile and laughter. For any other father this would be a moment of great pride.

Mary hands him something to wrap the baby with then hands him to her. They share glances and smiles. The camera bounces from Mary to Joseph, then both of them together. They look at each other, then we see Joseph. Emotion floods his face and he begins to cry.

​It’s in that moment that the carpenter becomes a father.

We know nothing beyond that moment except that Joseph takes full responsibility to raise and protect Jesus as he grows. But I often find myself wondering about Joseph; his willingness to say yes, his commitment to raise the Son of God, and to be present as a father but relatively absent in terms of history and storytelling. Maybe it’s because I’m a father, and I too, watched as my children were born. Maybe it’s the emotion of the moment, the surreal realization that I was now responsible for this new life. Maybe it’s because I’m raising my own quiver, thus I’m sensitive to Joseph and his story.

Or maybe it’s because in God’s great plan of redemption, he chose someone as simple and as humble as a carpenter. A good man, who worked hard, who loved and cared for his wife, and was willing to trust God beyond what he could see.

Every thing about the Christmas story is filled with awe and wonder. We just need to look. God does something truly miraculous with ordinary, every day people. From the teenage virgin to a young carpenter, to you and me. And it does it all, because He loves us. He loves us!

​Today, consider the awe and wonder of the simple things, the humble things. Reflect on Joseph and his willingness to trust God with something he has absolutely no say in. And ask yourself, would you, could you do the same?

Consider these questions today.

​1. Remember back to the birth of your first child. Wives, do you remember your husbands reaction when your child was born? Husbands, do you remember you reaction when your child was born? Take a moment and be in that memory. Allow yourself to relive that time. It’s okay if you get emotional.

2. Joseph chose to trust God with something that he really had no part in. How has God asked you to trust him in a similar situation?

​3. In what ways has God left you in awe and wonder as you chase after him with your life?

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AWE & WONDER - A CHRISTMAS SERIES

introduction  | day one  | day two  | day three

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Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Student Ministry Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, a YouTuber/vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.