The second most important figure in the story of Advent is none other than our beloved Patron – St. Joseph. Nothing much is known about this humble, quiet and gentle man. All we know is that he was betrothed to Mary, became the foster father to Jesus and was a carpenter by trade.

In those days Jews were betrothed for a year before they were allowed to be married. A betrothed couple were considered as man and wife in all legal and religious aspects but the couple were not allowed to live together. It was only after the official wedding that they were allowed to. So it was during the year of betrothal that Joseph learnt about Mary’s pregnancy. Imagine the horror, anguish and shame he must have felt and the decisions he had to make. He decided to divorce her quietly. He could have easily done it publicly but instead chose to do it quietly because the punishment for adultery in those days was death by stoning.

It was then that an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because she was made pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:18). When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel had told him to do.

Although Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father, he took his  responsibilities seriously and took care of the Saviour as any  natural father would. Imagine the pain he must have gone through when he could not provide better circumstances for the birth of the   Saviour. And again, when Simeon said to Mary that Jesus would be a sign that would be opposed and that a sword would pierce her soul. Imagine the pain Joseph endured as he took Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety.

What gave this unassuming, gentle, quiet man the strength to endure all the trials his vocation brought him? He had to have been a man of deep faith to fulfill his high calling.

There is no record of him being present on Calvary so it is      assumed that he had died before Jesus. We can presume that both Mary and Jesus were with him when he died.

Pope Pius IX declared St Joseph Patron of the Universal Church. He said, “In the same way that he once kept unceasing holy watch over the family of Nazareth, so now does he protect and defend with his heavenly patronage the Church of Christ”.

As we prepare for Christmas, let us turn to St Joseph for his help as we ready our hearts to be worthy mangers to receive Jesus.