GREATER GLORY OF GOD Presents Advent Special JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM Twenty-fourth Day - In the company of St. Joseph, the Father of Jesus - He is the Father of Jesus – in the eyes of the Law - It’s ok to call him the Foster father of Jesus but not right - Through Joseph, Jesus is the Son of David – Geneology - I’m very sure – Jesus must have called Joseph Father ALWAYS - The husband of the Mother of Jesus – then who is Joseph to Jesus Luke 4:22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” Matthew 13:54-55 He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Joseph – the silent man - Silence makes him special and great Joseph the dreamer - Obedient - When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him - It was enough for him to be told in a dream! He was a man of faith! Matthew 1:18-25 - According to Matthew - God reveals about the birth of Jesus to Joseph and not Mary - Only in dream Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. - Never speaks o To Mary after Annunciation o To Jesus after finding Him in the Temple - Question about his relationship with Mary and their other children o Joseph & Mary lived in Heaven o No marriage and begetting in Heaven o Both partners have to help each other to fulfil their responsibilities entrusted by God - Joseph had the privilege to be with God from the time he took Mary with him o What a privilege to be with God o Experience of being in heaven o Being at home o Journeys – Nazareth to Bethlehem § Bethlehem to Egypt § Egypt to Nazareth Every year to Jerusalem