December 08: Joseph
Traditional Ornament: Coat of Many Colors
Reading: Genesis 37, 39-45, 50
“God, therefore, sent me on ahead of you to ensure for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives in an extraordinary deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7)
Joseph’s story is prominent in the book of Genesis. Although the lineage of Jesus does not pass through Joseph, he is remembered each Advent in the Jesse Tree, because his story is rich with parallels to Jesus’ own life.
After his brothers sell him into slavery, Joseph rises to a position of authority in Egypt because of his ability to interpret dreams. At one point in the story, Joseph is in a situation where he could seek revenge against his brothers, who were starving and seeking food for their families. But Joseph realized something more important. Although his brothers’ jealousy had led to his enslavement, it was God who took his situation and brought forth good from it. Joseph recognized that it was God’s continued guiding presence in his life that not only brought about his salvation from life as a slave but salvation from famine for his family.
Joseph shows us that we can place our trust in God when we experience hardships or suffering in life, and know that there is a purpose to our suffering – a lesson to be learned, a greater good to come about. We may not know that purpose today, but we can rest assured that God is always in control.
© 2017 Catechist’s Aide
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