Joseph, the Silent Man

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A
He never says a word, this man named Joseph. He is silent and still, at least in what is recorded in Scripture. He is really in the background of the story, a story centered around the child of his wife, but a child who was not his own; he is in the background of a story centered around the man this child would become, and the suffering and death he would endure; a story centered around a prophecy of God-made man. We couldn’t imagine a Nativity Scene without this silent man, standing there, leaning on a staff, gazing at the child. We might wonder what is going through his mind, what his perspective on this miracle is. But he never says a word, this man named Joseph. He listens to the angel, he understands, and he does what the Lord asks of him.

And yet the silence of Joseph is fitting in these last days of Advent, these last days before Christmas. Because, really, what could you say? What words could express the mystery of our God who loves us so much that he becomes one of us; what words could express the fact that this tiny child is destined to save all people from their sins? It is a miracle beyond words, a grace beyond comprehension. All Joseph can do is listen to the angel and gaze at the child – no words are needed when you’re in the presence of the Word made Flesh.

It’s fitting, too, that one of the most loved Christmas songs of all time calls to mind the silence of that night, when that holy infant was born. The world was calm and bright in the presence of the holy one of Israel; no words were needed. But we’re not quite there yet; we still have some time before we sing that song. As hard as it is, we have to wait, we have to watch. In just a matter of hours, the joy of Christmas will be upon us; their will be singing and shouting, the clamor of holiday meals and the excitement of unwrapping gifts. The noise may be so great in some places that we can’t hear the cry of a baby, or the sweet song of his mother. In our own joy, we may forget the humble shepherds or the choir of angels. And so today, we step back and look around. Today, we stand with Joseph, the silent man, who has heard the voice of the angel. Today, we wait with Joseph, the husband, who guides and guards his wife, Mary, who is heavy with child. Today, we watch with Joseph, the righteous man, as the miracle of all miracles takes place: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel.” Come to us, O Emmanuel; we are waiting in joyful hope for your coming among us. Break into our silence and fill the earth with your Word. “Dear Savior haste! Come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show your face, and bid us hail the dawn of grace. O come, divine Messiah; the world in silence waits the day when hope shall sing its triumph and sadness flee away!”