The second of the Twelve Days of Christmas

Around the Third Sunday of Advent we wondered about St. Joseph as he prepared his household for the birth of Christ. Although St. Joseph quietly fades from the gospel narrative by the end of Luke's second chapter, we know that he was present through Jesus' 12th year (Luke 2:41-52)

How did Joseph experience those early days and early years in Jesus' life. It's not easy to find a great deal of artistic expression of these times and, unfortunately, Joseph is more often than not depicted as an elderly man, although there is no scriptural evidence for this. Timothy P. Schultz is a contemporary Canadian sculptor, a father himself. Perhaps that's why his art so often puts Jesus in Joseph's embrace. Timothy's work above, A Quiet Moment, portrays Joseph's larger-than-life love for his wife and foster son...

Joseph, you were called to a great love and a deep trust
in God's plan for your and your wife, Mary.

You responded with a love greater than most can imagine,
a trust deeper than most can dream.

Teach us, Joseph, to love even when we do not understand,
to trust when we do not see the purpose.

Stretch our hearts to a larger-than-life love,
enfolding of all the gifts God gives us...