One of the greatest heroes from all the scriptures was not a prophet, and left no writings for us to study.  Yet his life and works are worthy of close scrutiny and emulation.  All that we know about him was written by others.

The man—Joseph—was chosen and foreordained to be the stepfather, if you will, and the earthly guardian of the Christ child.  Imagine for a moment the honor attached to such an assignment.  From among His billions of sons the Father of us all chose Joseph, into whose care He placed His most treasured possession.

Joseph was not a prophet, but he could hear the Spirit.  He was a righteous man, and acted quickly whenever the Spirit, dreams, or an angel directed him to do something.

The scripture says, “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

“And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:  and he called his name JESUS.”  (Matthew 1:24-25).

Joseph had control of himself.  He knew his duty, and he did it.  He did it lovingly.  As the supposed father of the child, it was his privilege to name the baby.  Six months earlier Zacharias had departed from custom and gave his own firstborn son the name of John, a name not had by any of his kindred.  (Luke 1:60-63).  Joseph also departed from custom by naming the baby Jesus.  Both fathers were following the instructions of the angel.

After the visit of the wise men, the angel came again and “appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:  for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

“When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.”  (Matthew 2:13-14).

He didn’t even wait for morning.

When I was raising my children, when I’d ask them to do something, the most common response that I got was, “In a minute:  I’ll do it in a minute.”  Joseph didn’t wait for morning.  He didn’t say, or think to himself, “I’ll do it when I’m done sleeping and have gotten my rest.”  He simply roused his family, got dressed, and left for a foreign country.

This was a man who would have faithfully done his home teaching every month—at the first of the month.  This was a man who could be depended upon.  This was why he was chosen.

Joseph likely never had the Priesthood.  That wasn’t his calling.  But Joseph was a prince.  Circumstances were such that he wasn’t recognized as being anyone special, but he was the firstborn son of the firstborn son going clear back to Solomon and king David.  Had the government of the kingdom of Judah remained in its rightful line, Joseph would have been king, and His rightful successor would have been Jesus.

This is a fact that Joseph knew.  The Jews knew their genealogy and family history.  Though his lot was to be a humble carpenter in humble circumstances, Joseph knew his heritage.  He knew that he was not an ordinary man.  He knew, too, that the Messiah would be born into his line.  It was a surprise that he should be chosen to be the young Messiah’s caregiver, but it was little surprise that the Messiah should come at that time and in that line.

Joseph was to all appearances an ordinary man.  He was like us.  We’re ordinary, too.  He considered himself ordinary.  We do, too.  But in God’s eyes we are not.  We’re special, and we’re chosen.  We need to recognize that.  We need to follow this noble man’s example, and promptly do that which we’re given to do.