December 21, 2025

GLORIA: JOSEPH—THE QUIET WORSHIPER

December 21, 2025

 Scott Bullman

It is not unusual for the Bible to include characters about whom we know little or nothing in its histories For example, Thaddaeus, one of the twelve apostles, is mentioned twice, in John 14:22 and Acts 1:13. Yet this man faithfully followed Jesus as His apostle for three years. He was still with the other ten in Acts 1:26, after Judas had died. Another example was Nicanor, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6:5. This is the only time his name is mentioned. Yet, he served the position of ‘servant’ in the young church faithfully. Today, we look at Joseph, whom God chose as Jesus’s earthly father. Joseph was a good, compassionate man, and God would have picked only the best to raise His Son, Jesus. Join us today as we study the life of Joseph, as we are able to garner much on this amazing man.

Focal Passages: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-20.

The Miracle of Jesus:

  • Read Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18. Put yourself in Mary’s place. How could she have told her parents she was pregnant with the Son of God? If you were Mary’s mother, would you have told the rest of your village that your daughter was pregnant with the Messiah? Who would have believed this? How old was Mary (mol)?
  • Had you been Joseph, would you have doubted Mary? What were his options to handle his betrothed’s pregnancy? Read Matt. 1:19-21. Is it any wonder he wanted to ‘put her away privately’?
  • Do you think he was grieving in his heart? Do you think he was praying fervently? What would it have been like to be visited by an angel? Read Matt. 1:24. How is this an example of how God is ‘never late’ when we need Him?
  • How do you think Joseph felt once the angel had told him to marry Mary? Do you think he woke his parents to tell them?
  • In Luke 2:4, why was it special that Joseph was of the house and lineage of David? Read Isa. 9:7. Was this the fulfillment of that promise?

The Birth of Jesus:

  • Read Luke 2:4-7. What do you envision when you think of Mary and Joseph in a stable?

Born in the year 100 AD, Justin Martyr, a native of Bethlehem, wrote that a cave had been marked out shortly after Jesus was born and was actually venerated as the place of His birth. Later, the historian Origen confirmed that the site traditionally visited as the cave where Jesus was born was indeed correct. Only God knows.

  • What are some pros and cons of God choosing a cave over a home?
  • Who had been the only ones who received the message of the birth of Jesus? Does it fit the narrative that God would have kept the birth lowkey especially in such a small town?
  • What might have been the reasons why God said little about Joseph’s life?

Qualities and Lessons of Obedience in the silent Joseph:

Look for character qualities of Joseph in the following passages.

  • Read Matt. 1: 18-20. What two qualities showed he was a man who did not want to jump ahead of God, and who thought before he acted? 1:20-23. Did anyone mention patience? How did Joseph obey the word of God in Psa. 27:14 to be patient while waiting for the Lord to act? Read vv. 24-25. How was God so intimate with Joseph that He filled his being? Could this have been the Holy Spirit? How did God communicate with him in times of travail? How quickly did Joseph obey?
  • Read Matt. 2:13-15. In the months since Joseph saw the first angel, did he remain steadfast? Can you imagine his love, waking Mary to leave their home and goods to flee to Egypt? How had God provided for their living expenses? What traits were here?
  • Read vv. 19-21. A new dream—perhaps only months or one year later. Was Joseph still faithfully carrying out the job God had called him to? Did he again show instant obedience to God’s orders? Read vv. 22-23. What quality did he show here? He had obviously thought through scenarios that could harm Jesus and chosen the one he felt was safest. How could his obedience, coupled with grim responsibility, have been a strength to Mary and baby Jesus during these times of uncertainty?
  • Read Luke 2: 1-5. Was Joseph a man who submitted to the governing authorities? Why did he take Mary with him, as it was almost time for Jesus to be born? How did this show that he did not shirk responsibility?
  • Read vv. 15-17. When the shepherds visited the stable and worshiped Jesus, what thoughts would have gone through Joseph’s head? Would he have seen this as confirmation that what he and Mary had been told by the angel almost a year ago, now being certified by lowly shepherds? Read vs. 33. What does it mean to ‘marvel’? Acts of God that reinforce His will can astonish us. By now, Joseph had to have been entirely on board with God, trusting Him to raise this Child. How much God loved Joseph!
  • Read vv. 41-50. What quality traits did Joseph show in searching for Jesus? Do you think he could have been wringing his hands, like, “I have just lost the SON OF GOD!” That’s probably how we would act today—somehow, Joseph gives assurance that he was relying on God to keep Jesus from harm.

Close:

We have all had a Joseph in our lives, haven’t we? Someone who did not need to take the spotlight each time a conversation came up, but would listen carefully, and if he or she had anything to say, it would be pertinent to the discussion. Their trust in God has been solid.

Can you imagine how picky God would have been in choosing the man who would guard, mentor, and raise His Son? Solomon wrote in Proverbs, ‘The glory of children is their father.’ Even though there were not as many homes in Joseph’s day without a father as there are now, God knew the Child would need to know how to be an adult man. Joseph would train Him well. What a mantle of responsibility, love, and faith Joseph exhibited during his years on earth.

By Sandy Day

December 21, 2025

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