The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home
December 21, 2025 – Fourth Sunday of Advent, Matthew 1:18-24
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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Another person who played a major role in the early life of Jesus was the one locals called “his dad.” His name was Joseph and by trade he worked with wood to perhaps make furniture or door posts needed by neighbors. Back then most all businesses were local. There remains some debate among biblical scholars as to whether he might have been a widower with children. But one way or another he became known as the father of Jesus. Today’s gospel recalls the unusual circumstances under which this happened.
I have always had a special interest in St. Joseph. I attended a church and school named after him. We were given a free day on his feast day in March. All us students were allowed to return home after attending 8:00 Mass. I recall taking the bus home and passing the local public school where the students were working on arithmetic problems. What a good feeling that gave me!
I also became a foster father for dozens of infants and toddlers. I often though of St. Joseph as my special friend in heaven and prayed to him when faced with difficult challenges.
Like most of us, Jospeh likely had good days and some that were not. Today’s gospel suggests a time in his life that must have been quite trying. He was planning to marry a local girl named Mary. Things were likely unfolding well until he learned that Mary was pregnant. He weighed his options, and we know the rest. How hard and difficult this decision was we are left to wonder. In the end he did what he thought God wanted of him.
Perhaps something like this scenario has happened in our lives. Maybe more than once. We had to imagine all the possibilities that were ahead of us and after thinking and likely praying, we made a choice – or a series of choices that we felt were part of God’s plan for us. We may have taken a way that the poet Robert Frost calls “the road not taken.” One that deep down made sense to us although it may not have been what others would do.
I recall a saying that “life happens when you are making other plans.” Certainly St. Joseph would know what that meant in his life. His sanctity was made along a road with many twists and turns.
David M. Thomas, PhD