About Joseph as a model husband and father�

Jewish custom considered the engagement period between a man and women to almost be as if they are married. The engagement period could be ended only in divorce (showing even though Mary and Joseph were not married, the betrothal period was "as if" they were married.) Joseph was a righteous man. We see through the Christmas Story Joseph was righteous. Joseph always followed the Lord's will. Joseph was a man of self-control and self-discipline for Joseph followed the Lord's directions without complaint, argument, or rancor. Joseph surely loved Mary because he did not want to expose her to public shame as would have happened to a woman who became pregnant out of wedlock. Joseph was obedient to the Lord and the Lord's directions to Him. Joseph was righteous, caring, self-controlled, loving towards Mary, and obedient to the Lord's commands. Each of us can look to Joseph and find a wonderful model of how we should live our life. No wonder God chose Joseph to be an earthly guardian and a model of fatherhood for His only Son.