Tonight the two sets of elders that serve in the YSA branch came over for dinner. As much as I love hearing missionaries talk about their areas and swapping stories with them, my favorite part of having the missionaries over for dinner is the spiritual thought they share afterward.

The elders had us watch this new Mormon Message about raising Christ, as seen through the eyes of Joseph:

I’m going to be perfectly honest – Joseph is my favorite person in the Nativity story. I love my Savior and from the time I was in Young Women’s I’ve been told to emulate the character of Mary. But the older I’ve gotten, the more tender my heart becomes towards Joseph and the mantle that was placed on his shoulders.

We’re all familiar with how Mary was a choice Daughter of God to be chosen to bare the Son of God. She was humble, faithful, obedient. The mother of Jesus was chosen with great care.

The same can be said for Joseph. Maybe he wasn’t Christ’s biological father, but God would not choose just anyone to be the guardian of His Son. Joseph, too, needed to be worthy, obedient, faithful, and humble.

I can only imagine Joseph’s feelings as he helped to raise Christ. This was not his son. I have no doubt that he felt pain over that knowledge from time to time. And yet, I have no doubt that Joseph loved Jesus as one of his own.

How many times did Joseph feel inadequate as a father? How many times did he fall to his knees, begging Heavenly Father to help him be the example Christ needed? How many times did he feel like he was just sitting on the sidelines? How many times did he feel that he didn’t matter?

But oh, how Joseph mattered. Of course Christ came to a point where He knew who His real father was. But I have no doubt Christ still turned to Joseph for help. He honored Joseph, He listened to Joseph, and He learned from Joseph. Christ needed a man here on earth to look up to. And what better man than a humble, simple carpenter?

How many times did Joseph tell Jesus stories from the scriptures? How many times did they pray and worship together as a family? How many times did Joseph follow the promptings of the Spirit to save Christ? How many times did Joseph lie awake at night, nervous about Christ’s safety, hoping and praying soldiers wouldn’t find them?

How many times did Joseph pick up a tired Christ child and put Him on his shoulders? How many mannerisms did Christ pick up from Joseph? How many kind deeds did Jesus witness Joseph perform? How many times did Christ throw His arms around Joseph in an expression of love and gratitude?

Yes, the Nativity story is about the wonderful birth of our Savior, the greatest Gift this world has ever received. This is the season we have to honor and remember Him, to glorify His name and the hope he’s given to the world.

But the Nativity story is also about a family. It’s about a mother, willing to do anything asked of her. It’s about her courage and faithfulness.

And it’s also about a father – a father who opened up his heart and loved the most pure, perfect child to ever walk this earth. It’s about a father who already possessed the Spirit of Christmas.