The Righteousness of Joseph: Reflections on the 3rd Sunday of Advent: Four Sundays

By john Cabascango

The third installment of the Four Sundays series looks at Joseph, the ever-present but rarely examined character in the Advent narrative. Other than his place in the Nativity scenes under Christmas trees, why is he important?  Come take a look at who the Bible calls a righteous man, and the only character twice visited by angels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: john Cabascango
• Release date: Dec 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201442972

john Cabascango

John Cabascango teaches IB English and Spanish at Smithfield Selma High School in Smithfield, NC.  He lives in nearby Clayton with his wife Sherri and his sons Esteban, Santiago, and Cristian.  He is the author of Throwing Moses Under the Bus: A High School English Teacher Looks at the Ten Commandments and Advent Now.

Book preview

A Man of Few Words

Joseph, is referred to as St. Joseph in the Catholic church, and shows up in every Nativity scene.  However, the specifics of his role in the Advent narrative, and quite frankly the Gospel story are quite few.  Mary, Elizabeth and even briefly mute Zacharia are given more press and specific prayers.  However, Joseph, of all the Advent characters, is named as righteous.  This is significant, as is his lineage.  But both need some explaining. 

Righteousness in Biblical Terms

Being righteous, in the Biblical sense, has everything to do with actions. This may be confusing to the modern reader who may consciously or unintentionally perceive righteousness as a state of being, something arrived at or even entered into in some sort of mystical manner.  The Biblical, particularly ancient Hebrew definition of righteousness