No Song-And-Dance Man.

Of the immediate relatives in the Advent narrative, there are three who Scripture lists as offering some sort of praise or prophetic word. We have Elizabeth's Spirit-led revelation song, her husband Zechariah's prophecy, and her cousin Mary's praise song, all recorded in Luke 1. But all we have for Joseph, in Luke 2:33, is that he marvelled at the prophecy given by Simeon in the temple. Nothing else. Not even a "thank-You-Lord". As I listened to a podcast of a "Joseph" sermon (from a different church) over the last week, I wondered what it meant to have Joseph present in the narrative but absent from the praise team.

We serve a wonderful God. I did not know that, for this weekend's English-language services, Pastor Sam would have Joseph as the next person in his sermon series, Human Stories In The Divine Drama.

Pastor Sam's message really helped us to see Joseph in a clearer light. We learned that Joseph, rather than being a dispensable actor in the drama, is actually central to the narrative. And though the canon lists no resounding praise nor rejoicing prose, we can still learn a great deal from the life of Joseph. What has he brought to the table? Pastor Sam shared a few points. (Note: In the interest of full disclosure, the "r.p." alliterations are mine; but the sermon points are his.)

• Risk-taking partnership. Joseph remained in his betrothal contract with Mary.
• Responsible paternity. Joseph, led by God through prophetic dreams, protected his family.
• Righteous passion. Joseph demonstrated what it means to love sacrificially without compromising integrity.

There is much more God shared with us through our pastor, and I hope that as we reflect on the sermon this week we will have opportunity to think and pray about Joseph's life, and our own.

The canon records no song from Joseph. Hymnody has few songs for Joseph.

But, we can say that Joseph's life sang. Loudly.