We haven't thought about Joseph's role in salvation yet. Joseph must have been very confused when he found out that Mary was pregnant, but because he loved her, he didn't want her to be disgraced and possible stoned to death.
He believed the angel, married Mary, and became the foster father of Jesus. No one knew that he wasn't actually Jesus' father.
There are so many men who take on the responsibility of being father to another man's son or daughter. I have watched my own son over the years be father to his stepson.
He could not love his own child more, and has always treated him with as much love as he does his two daughters. He is not alone.
What makes a child a son or daughter?
I believe that it is love.
Joseph loved Jesus and raised him to be a faithful Jewish boy, brought him to the synagogue so that he would know the Scriptures and taught him the skills of being a carpenter. He gives us an example of what it means to be a parent regardless of the circumstances.
My son is not alone in step-parenting or adoption. There have been people who have fostered or adopted children who have special needs or who have been abandoned by their parents, or who have lost their parents to death or drugs.
As long as we love, we can welcome another person into our hearts and into our families.
When asked how many grandchildren I have, I always include this very special addition to our family and was never prouder than when he called me "Nana" for the first time. I'm sure that Joseph felt the same when Jesus called him "Abba."
