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N. *PAGE 12, WEDNESDAY DEER1199 DE7/wBttR-1941979 Against the humble dra- ma of that first Cbristmas in Bethlehem, the figure of Joseph and: bis experlence of angulsh,> hardship and heroic devotion are often overloolced. But Josephi played an integral role ira the Christuias story; he led Mary to Bethlelwni, named the, Chuld "Ju» as thue- an- gel had told -him and pro.- tected the mother and her, Céh>ud frôm danger. Sciptural accounts -are scanit on detail àabout, jos- epli, but he is referred to as a "just man" in, MattbeW's writinigs, and it'is implied that he adhered.- scrupu- lously to Judak[and civil laws. You can imagine bis bor-, ror, then, when,. after a; 3- month visit with--her cousin Elizabetlh,, Mary returned to him,' pregnant with a Child he had not'sired.. TBY FREE PRESSCHRISTMA-s suppLEMErN' Tluen, in the height of 148 desperation, an angel ap- peaird to him jn a dream witb goodnews: 'Fear flot to tace. unto tbee Mary tby wife:, for that which slàcoôn-' cýeive& in her is'of thue'HI Spirit. And she shal brin forth a Son, and tbou shalt cail His name Jesus: for-He shaUsavé lis people from their sins". At that moment, Joseph must have feita little e wildered.. but imm ense' ly relieved. From then on, it' seem's that lie trusted Mary wholeheartedîv. Evenwhen itWas timefor bhm to travel to Bethlehemfrtecn sshowouldflot lbave her. Hie brouglit Mary with bijai despit 'e,'tbe fact, that 'it was la long journey-about eight nie-an'd' the tirne for beir to kive- birth, wadrawàn near. Upon tbeir arrivai in Bethlehem, 'there was no- thing but trouble. TbU*l bow disappoîntpd joseph must have been when he could not find a roomn for Mary to' deliier ber first' Cbuild. After. bours and' hours of searcbîing, he man- aged to locate a ,stable, ,where'she cudat' least have some privacy. ýThere,.Mary gave birth to- Jesus . . .,and- botb she and joseph must have been ovejoyd.Imagine Jos- eph-' pride when lie ,showed ,the ,Chuld tW, the shepherds, and bis awe at the visit of theMa, with- théir expeýnsivegifts. According to nonbiblical acutMaryand josephi remained happily in Beth- lehem for'about a year. But they, were troubled'by re- ports that the 'jealous King Herod' 'was inquiring about their -Son's 'identity- and whereabouts." 'An angel came to hlm in a Gui Tidinos ciream again, saYing; ."Arise and' take tbe younàg Cld. and His mother, and fieeý into Egypt and be thou there- until 1 bring tbee word:,,for Herod will seek the young Chid to destroy Hlm". Trusting the dream, Jos- ephi obeyedunquestloning- ly 'and -led -Mary, and ithe child t>Egypt.. In.iglit of ail these e4rly events, it seems that Joseph ,must, have been an extra- ordiýary anone Who -was not afraid of responsi-, bility, 1Who cnrne problens head*on, who was unflinchingly devoted to, lis family, and obedient to the will of Cod.';