Jeremiah 23:5-8 / Matthew 1:18-24
We are familiar with that Christmas carol "What child is this?". The first few lines go like this "What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? ... "
If Joseph were to sing that Christmas carol, he would just change one word in the title. And it would be "Whose child is this?"
In the Christmas story, everyone had something to say. Even Mary who is usually quiet had that long song of the Magnificat when she visited Elizabeth.
The only one who had nothing recorded of what he said was Joseph. And yet, he was one of the central characters in the whole Christmas story.
It was he who made the decision to accept the pregnant Mary to to take her home as his wife.
Oh we may say that the angel appeared in his dream and told him exactly what to do and so he would have no problems as to decide what to do.
Still that does not answer the question "Whose child is this?" Nonetheless Joseph took responsibility of Mary and her child, even as he pondered on that question.
Maybe Joseph would find out the truth along the way. What is remarkable is that Joseph had the integrity of an upright man to care for the mother and child.
We in turn can ask ourselves this question : Whose child am I? Obviously we are the children of our parents.
But more than that, we are also children of God. As children of God, let us be like Joseph and be persons of integrity, and hence let us also take responsibility of those who are weak and helpless.
That will show whose children we are.