If you grew up attending church, you probably know the story of Jesus’ birth from memory. Even if you didn’t attend church regularly, the image of Mary and Joseph surrounded by animals and their new baby is familiar. But how much have you thought about Joseph’s role in Jesus’ birth? As Pastor Mark looks today at Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, he sheds new light on Joseph and his part in the process. He wasn’t Jesus' father, and he had every right to see the punishment of stoning Mary through. But his character and devotion to Mary and God gave him a compassionate, loving response instead.