Is it only a bit part in the Nativity Play?

In the Alpine city of Innsbruck you will find the Dom zu St Jakob; the Cathedral of St Jakob. All the guide books point to the early 18th century baroque jewel's picture of the Madonna and Child. Yet the image that caught my attention whilst visiting my favourite Tyrolean city was the small image of Joseph and the infant Jesus.

Jacob, Joseph, Jesus. What a line-up. Yet Joseph is often seen as a mere bit part within the Nativity scene; a mere relationship of convenience to provide protection and home for the young woman and her offspring.

Little is known of him, this mysterious woodworking descendant of King David. He is quickly overlooked as we look for the main players. He arrives on the on the scene trying to fathom out a dilemma. Since he learned of the pregnancy he has been trying to figure a way out of this predicament. We know that He is righteous, but he is merciful. What is his best option? How can he fulfill his obligations to God and to Mary - is it to give her a "quiet divorce." Can he send her away to her relatives down in the hill country of Judea. Could she be put away until the child is born and then prepare the divorce with a few trusted officials. It's not a perfect solution, but it is the best that he can do - nothing else is possible.

The Dream of a New Possibility
While Joseph is trying to figure it all out, he has a dream. This dream is gospel - that is, good news.

Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife - the child is born of the Holy Spirit

Name him Jesus - for he will save his people from their sins

I find it interesting that it is Joseph who is given the task of naming the Messiah, Jesus.

When Oscar Isaac took on the role of Joseph in the Bible epic, “The Nativity Story,” the 26-year-old actor had no idea what he would soon be facing. In an interview he said of Joseph, "I think the fact that there’s a man who loves God so fully and loves this woman so fully and has to share his love with God is pretty untraditional ...... It’s an interesting character study as well. He has to share his wife with God. He wanted to have a family with this woman. He wanted to have a nice, normal life in his little house that he’s building and suddenly he forced to….kind of, ‘Why her?’ you know? ‘I love her so much, I love you so much, but why couldn’t you have picked anybody else?’

But he didn't and in that wonderful timeless mystery we, like Joseph find God with us.

Nativity Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian

The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord
Because it brings joy to all humanity.
Old people and infants alike enjoy your day.
Your day is celebrated
from generation to generation.
Kings and emperors may pass away,
And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse.
But your festival
will be remembered until the end of time.
Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.
At Your birth heaven and earth were reconciled,
Since you came from heaven to earth on that day
You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.
You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth:
A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick;
Spiritual light for the blind;
The cup of salvation for the thirsty;
The bread of life for the hungry.
In the winter when trees are bare,
You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit.
In the frost when the earth is barren,
You bring new hope to our souls.
In December when seeds are hidden in the soil,
The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb.

St. Ephraim the Syrian (AD 306-373)