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You know, when you think about it, it's seriously cool the way the story of Christ's birth is told mostly through Mary's eyes. At least it is in the Luke account that everyone likes so well (granted, that's the one with details). Even when the Bible turns to the shepherds, it comes right back to her; she's the one who is particularly noted to have "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

I know that, for the most part, those who read the stuff I write here are people who have had to take Bible classes and so none of this is anything new. But in case there might be someone randomly happening upon my journal, understand that, in the culture of that day and age, women were paid little attention to. It was an extremely patriarchal society. One would have expected the story of the birth of the Messiah to be told through the eyes of men. Just another thing to add to the list of reasons why the birth of Jesus was so unique.

But then, in all of this, Joseph is often forgotten. At least to me, anyway. To entire denominations also, but that's a whole different discussion. Now yes, Mary would indeed be partially in charge of raising her son, but a large part of that burden did shift from her to Joseph once she'd taken care of the delivery part. If a Jewish man turned out shameful or unsuccessful, it was his father who would be blamed for not raising him right.

Combine that with the fact that Joseph knew full well what manner of child he was raising...

Kind of ups the stakes a little, doesn't it? Do you think the visit of the shepherds - or the Magi, especially the Magi - served to encourage him or worry him even more? What about the words of old Simeon and Anna at the temple? Did they ease his nerves about being in charge of how the Son of God turned out? And if so, for how long? I mean yes, we know that Jesus lived a sinless life and would have no matter what sort of earthly father he'd had, but did Joseph necessarily know that?

I think it would take quite a man to handle that much pressure.