Who better than a carpenter?

Who better than a carpenter to be the earthly father of God incarnate? Who better to receive the maker than one who makes?

A carpenter looks at things made and recognizes the intentions of the maker. A child needs to be seen for who they are so they may become who they are meant to be. Who better than Joseph to see the child Jesus for who he was? Joseph was likely among the first who looked at Jesus and saw God.

And anyone who has been truly seen by someone is better equipped to do the same for others. I suspect Joseph played a part in developing Jesus’ extraordinary ability to look into a person’s heart and see who they were meant to be.

A carpenter knows what it is to pour heart and soul into the world — into things readily woven into daily living. God poured Jesus into our world so that we might live with God in all intimacy.

A carpenter knows how to measure carefully, design what suits the needs at hand, assess the materials and cost and, for the big projects, call trustworthy subcontractors to complete the work. Who better to raise the one who laid the foundation for the kingdom of heaven and calls us to complete the work?

A carpenter knows how to assess what is broken and mend it, making it more resilient than before. Who better to help shape the vocation of one who came to heal the broken?

And who better to make a home for God’s mercy and love than Joseph, who offered mercy and love to the expectant Mother of God?