God would not have been satisfied for Jesus to grow up without his father Joseph. In the early chapters of Luke, there is repeated mention of Mary as the mother of Jesus, and Joseph as his father. God was quite capable of bringing Jesus into the world without using the genes of Joseph, but it is evident that God the Father wanted Jesus to grow up with this carpenter as his earthly father. God even sent an angel to work out the details.

It is common today for children to be raised in homes without fathers. This is sometimes caused by the death of a father, or because of divorce and others because the mother and father were never married.

Sav-a-life of Covington County reports that a number of fathers come in to their offices to seek counsel. Most are young men who are not married to the mother of their child, but they often have a keen interest in becoming a good father. Many couples seek children by adoption. One of my brother’s daughters and her husband are in the process of adopting several children.

So, God selected a carpenter to be the father of Jesus. God thought it important that Jesus have not only an earthly father, but a good one.

Fine parents are special people called by God for a most important and rewarding mission. It would be wonderful if every child had loving parents who respond to a keen call by our heavenly Father as Joseph and Mary were to Jesus.

This weekend, we celebrate Father’s Day. What a great time to express gratitude for fine fathers and to give encouragement to all fathers facing this challenging opportunity. I remember my father with thanksgiving and am grateful for the heritage he gave me at home, at work, in the community and as my childhood Sunday school teacher. There is no more important man than one who demonstrates that he is a fine father.

-Clyde Northrup