Joseph's Compassion

Luke's account of the birth of Jesus is told from Mary's point of view; Matthew focuses on Joseph.
Without Mary's YES at the annunciation,  the Word would not have become flesh, Without Joseph's YES, the story would not have been able to proceed.  His expectations of Mary, his whole life had been turned inside out by Mary's pregnancy, but his willingness to believe the angel who spoke in a dream, that this child was of the Holy Spirit and would be the Savior of humankind demonstrates his faith, his love and compassion for Mary and his generous compliance to God's plan. He accepts the child as his own and proves to be a strong husband and father.  He brought Mary to Bethlehem; at the prompting of an angel, fled to Egypt to protect the mother and child from Herod's jealous wrath; settled later in Nazareth and provided for his holy family.  Spiritual writer, Barbara Taylor Brown writes:  "God's birth requires human partners--a Mary, a Joseph and you, a me--willing to adopt it and give it our names, accepting the whole sticky mess and rocking it in our arms."   "In the mystery of Christmas" Deacon Jay Cormier reminds us, God's "yes" depends on our "yes.'
How willing are we to take on the role of Joseph to be father to Jesus, to give compassion and forgiveness to ourselves and others?
Bro. Rene