Joseph’s Yes: The Hidden Fiat at the Heart of Christmas
Mass Readings for December 21, 2025
St. Joseph takes center stage as we step into the drama of the Fourth Sunday of Advent—caught between love and law, wrestling with a divine mystery, and ultimately saying yes to God's wild plan. We’ll unpack why Joseph is called the “Son of David,” explore the cultural twists of ancient Jewish betrothal, and dive into the spiritual power behind his quiet, courageous decisions. Along the way, we’ll turn to the Old Testament, trace echoes through Isaiah and Deuteronomy, and even hear wisdom from Pope Francis on Joseph’s creative courage. Join us as we rediscover why, when it comes to faith and fatherhood, St. Joseph is the man.
Diving deep into our Gospel we'll spend our episode looking closer at:
Katie’s wild papal audience adventure in Rome—including elbowing through crowds, near heart attacks in St. Peter’s Square, and a moment of eye contact with the Holy Father himself [00:00:55]
Why the Gospel account of Joseph is a “royal announcement” and the technical implications behind Christ’s title, delving into what it meant for Jesus to be called “the Son of David” [00:08:56]
The two-step process of Jewish marriage in the first century and how it radically changes our understanding of Mary and Joseph’s betrothal, vows, and the context for divorce [00:11:07]
Competing theological theories on why Joseph wished to “divorce her quietly,” including the reverential fear view from saints like Aquinas, Bernard, and Basil, and what it reveals about his character [00:17:45]
The Old Testament parallels between St. Joseph and the original Joseph in Genesis, with dreams, creative courage, and God’s plan to bring good out of apparent disaster [00:31:27]
The revelation that humble Joseph is actually the hidden heir to the Davidic throne, supported by archaeological insights into the Nazareans and their secret genealogical records [00:35:00]
How God bestows true fatherhood and royal inheritance on Joseph by commanding him to name Jesus, connecting ancient adoption customs and the significance of the child’s name “Yeshua”—Joshua, the one who leads into the true Promised Land [00:39:00]
The full prophetic drama behind Isaiah 7:14, the split kingdoms of Israel, and why “Emmanuel” means so much more than a Christmas carol lyric, revealing God’s ultimate promise to be “with us” always [00:47:06]
References
“As we read the infancy narratives, we may often wonder why God did not act in a more direct and clear way. Yet God acts through events and people. Joseph was the man chosen by God to guide the beginnings of the history of redemption. He was the true “miracle” by which God saves the child and his mother. God acted by trusting in Joseph’s creative courage. Arriving in Bethlehem and finding no lodging where Mary could give birth, Joseph took a stable and, as best he could, turned it into a welcoming home for the Son of God come into the world (cf. Lk 2:6-7). Faced with imminent danger from Herod, who wanted to kill the child, Joseph was warned once again in a dream to protect the child, and rose in the middle of the night to prepare the flight into Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-14). A superficial reading of these stories can often give the impression that the world is at the mercy of the strong and mighty, but the “good news” of the Gospel consists in showing that, for all the arrogance and violence of worldly powers, God always finds a way to carry out his saving plan. So too, our lives may at times seem to be at the mercy of the powerful, but the Gospel shows us what counts. God always finds a way to save us, provided we show the same creative courage as the carpenter of Nazareth, who was able to turn a problem into a possibility by trusting always in divine providence.” (Patris Corde pp. 5)
“Joseph accepted Mary unconditionally. He trusted in the angel’s words. ‘The nobility of Joseph’s heart is such that what he learned from the law he made dependent on charity. Today, in our world where psychological, verbal and physical violence towards women is so evident, Joseph appears as the figure of a respectful and sensitive man. Even though he does not understand the bigger picture, he makes a decision to protect Mary’s good name, her dignity and her life. In his hesitation about how best to act, God helped him by enlightening his judgment’.” (Patris Corde pp. 4)
“In those days Nazareth was a mere hamlet cradled in the foothills of Galilee, unknown to either the Bible or history. For many generations, it had been the residence of descendants of the household of David. They apparently called themselves Naroreans, after the words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.’ It was after this nezer that the village of Nazareth was apparently named. According to the author Julius Africanus […] these descendants of David lived in villages bearing messianic names such as Nazara (“village of the branch”) and Cochaba (“village of the star”). […] There, according to Africanus, the Davidic family kept the genealogical records used to prove its royal descent.” (Paths of the Messiah by Bargil Pixner, p. 3)
Discussion Questions
Katie discusses two theories for why St. Joseph wanted to “divorce” Mary quietly. Which theory resonates more with you and why?
What does Katie mean by describing Joseph’s response as one of “reverential fear”? How do saints’ actions being “motivated by love” shift your understanding of this moment?
How does the historical context of Jewish marriage customs deepen your reading of Matthew’s account of Joseph and Mary?
Katie talks about Joseph’s technical status as “Son of David.” Why is Joseph’s lineage so important for Jesus’ identity in Matthew’s Gospel?
Pope Francis’ letter, Patris Corde, is referenced several times. What qualities of St. Joseph’s “creative courage” stand out to you from the passages shared?
Katie draws parallels between Old Testament Joseph and New Testament Joseph. What connections do you see between their lives and roles in salvation history?
The episode emphasizes that both Mary and Joseph had to say “yes” for the story of salvation to unfold as it did. How does Joseph’s consent shed new light on the Nativity narrative?
Adoption, naming, and legal fatherhood are discussed as powerful in the ancient world. How might this change modern perceptions about Joseph’s relationship to Jesus?
The meaning and Old Testament resonance of the name “Jesus” (Yeshua/Joshua) is unpacked. How does the comparison to Joshua and the crossing of the Jordan expand your sense of Christ’s mission?
Throughout the episode, Katie reflects on applying St. Joseph’s spirituality—especially his openness to God’s plans—to our own lives. What practices or attitudes from St. Joseph’s example could you incorporate into your approach to discernment?