During the Christmas season, there are many well-known people to reflect on from Jesus’ birth story. Most importantly, we talk about the reason for the season: baby Jesus! We hear about Mary and all the things she kept in her heart. We think of the shepherds seeing the angels or ponder where the magi came from. However, I have to admit that I always felt there was another person that slid into the background more than he should. That person is none other than Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. There is a lot we can learn from St. Joseph, but I think it’s especially important for fathers to learn a few lessons from him.

Despite Joseph sometimes feeling like a secondary character in the Christmas story, if you look again, it’s easy to feel his constant presence. When Caesar announced for a census to be taken, Joseph traveled with Mary all the way to Bethlehem. Knowing Mary would be giving birth soon, it could not have been a simple task. It’s easy for us to imagine that once Joseph heard the news that there was no room for his family in the inn, he was more than a little stressed. Even so, I don’t think we’re giving Joseph enough credit. Looking back at many of Joseph’s actions, you can tell he fully placed his trust in God. When he was unsure about his future with Mary, God appeared to him in a dream, and Joseph listened and took Mary as his wife. When King Herod threatened Joseph’s family, he followed God’s message again, and took them to Egypt, even though it was an unfamiliar land to him. When God told him it was safe to return, he once again obeyed. Not only was he constantly there for his family, but he also knew God would always be there for them too. In today’s world, there are far too many families without the constant leadership and presence of a father. Too often, society sends the hurtful message that fathers are not needed, and that families can get on without them. But you don’t have to look far to see that this just isn’t true. When families don’t have fathers, boys often look for a male role model in all the wrong places. Without a virtuous father, many girls don’t have an example of what a good man should look like, and may fall in with the wrong crowd when dating. Without a good father figure, the family is sorely missing someone indeed. Joseph’s example proves that families not only need fathers, they need fathers who are present and trust in the Lord, no matter the difficulties.

Looking back at Joseph’s journey in the Bible, we can note that he was a man of action. Wherever God told him to go, he didn’t hesitate. If there was any danger toward his family, he was ready to lead them to safety. This is another essential part of every father’s role: to protect and defend. When there was no room in the inn, Joseph had to find shelter at a short notice for his wife and child on the way. When their newborn baby’s life was threatened, Joseph had to brave the long and arduous journey to Egypt, knowing they wouldn’t have many connections there. Years later, when his son was nowhere to be found, he searched for him with determination. Joseph was probably thinking to himself, “I had one job! How could I lose the Son of God?!?” Even so, he didn’t lose trust or hope in the Lord, looking for Jesus until he was found. All fathers are called to have this same sense of responsibility and courage to protect those under their care. God equips men with the natural disposition to lead their families, teams, and friends, and safeguard their physical, mental, and spiritual needs. It’s why we often hear stories of firefighters racing into a burning building despite the danger, boyfriends putting themselves between an attacker to protect their girlfriends, soldiers carrying their wounded brothers-in-arms to safety in the midst of war. It’s also why a father who knows his duty to defend is a force to be reckoned with.

Perhaps the most important thing Joseph can teach fathers is the value of humility. Looking at his role in Jesus’ life, I think he was perfectly fine with taking the backseat. His presence may have been quieter, but he was always there. He did his work diligently and provided for his family. He taught Jesus how to be a skillful carpenter. He led the family and brought them out of harm's way. Even in today’s world, he’s not usually one of the top people from the Bible to be brought up in conversation. I think he’s alright with that though. It seems he knew that humility is the most important virtue of them all, so he simply embodied it through service to his family. Jesus said it best: “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” We know Jesus definitely rewarded his foster father in Heaven, and the Church recognizes him too. 2021 was declared as the Year of St. Joseph, reminding us that Joseph is a man all fathers need to look up to as one of the best examples of what fatherhood should look like. 

St. Joseph may have lived over 2,000 years ago, but fathers from all generations can learn a thing or two from him on how to dad. Joseph shows us what all fathers are called to do: be a responsible presence, protect and defend, and be in humble service to their families and all they meet. Being a father is as simple as that. The hard part is putting it into practice, but Joseph shows dads how to do that too. Fathers today just need to follow their Heavenly father and trust Him as they lead their families through this life to our Heavenly home. Joseph can remind us of this not only during the Christmas season, but throughout all the seasons of life. One more thing dads can learn from St. Joseph: how to tell the best dad jokes. Don’t laugh, I’m willing to bet he had at least a few.