Ecstasy of St Joseph at the Nativity

Taken from the book "St. Joseph Prince of the Church."  A seldom asked question is, “Was Joseph present at the moment of Christ’s Birth?” Some Eastern Rites believe that he went out looking for a midwife and when he returned with her, the child had already been born.  But According to St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) and Venerable Maria de Agreda (1602-1665), both whom received private revelations from the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph was indeed present when Christ was born – however he was enraptured in holy ecstasy and called out of it after the child was born:

“Saint Joseph retired to a corner of the entrance, where he began to pray. He was immediately visited by the [Holy] Spirit and felt a most sweet and extraordinary influence, by which he was wrapt and elevated into an ecstasy. In it was shown him all that passed during that night in this blessed cave; for he did not return to consciousness until his heavenly spouse called him. Such was the sleep which Saint Joseph enjoyed in that night, more exalted and blessed than that of Adam in paradise.  

... Joseph issued from his ecstasy and, on being restored to consciousness, the first sight of his eyes was the divine Child in the arms of the Virgin Mother reclining against her sacred countenance and breast. There he adored Him in profoundest humility and in tears of joy he kissed His feet in great joy and admiration... - Ven. Maria de Agreda, Mystical City of God: Book 4, Ch. 4

... I saw the stable of Bethlehem filled with great radiance. The Blessed Virgin, all lost in the deepest of love, was wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, but Joseph was still asleep. Only after the Mother of God put Jesus in the manger, did the light of God awaken Joseph, who also prayed. - Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul (3^rd Ed.)

So as we can see, St. Joseph was present at the birth of the Holy Child as God would not want him to miss the greatest moment of his life.  Though St. Joseph was experiencing an ecstasy of the Nativity, he was still present and once he was awakened from it he was the first man to adore the Holy Eucharist in the form of the Divine Child. He held the Infant in his arms and kissed the feet of the Lord. Joseph was, as most fathers would be, at this moment: anxious, joyful, and proud! His wife had just given birth to Love Incarnate, the Saviour, and a New Adam for the world!

“I will bless her, and she shall be the mother of nations…” - Genesis 17:16

... she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. - St. Luke 2:7

... And she brought forth a male child, one who was to rule all the nations... - Revelation 12:5

Words cannot truly express the magnitude of this event in history. This single moment, the bringing of this child into our world, means one thing to us, yet there are so many ways to describe what has just taken place. Salvation has just been given to us in this child! We hear the choirs of angels rejoicing at the birth with the night sky illuminated as if it were day, the choirs emanating light as they sound the hymn of praise to Almighty God. Salvation has come to mankind!

And I heard as it were a voice of a great crowd, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Alleluia! ... Let us be glad and rejoice and give glory to Him;” - Revelation 19:6-7

“Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord... From the rising and setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised! High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is His glory!” - Psalm 113:1-4

PATERNAL AUTHORITY

On this most holy of nights, Joseph entered into the nobility of fatherhood and his paternity was far more superior to that of a “legal guardian” or “foster-father” as many people are tempted to label him.  Jesus, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, was the crowning splendour of the virginal espousals of St. Joseph and Our Lady.  He wished to humble himself by being born of a woman and by submitting himself to the paternal authority of his chosen father Joseph, thereby establishing a true relationship between father and son.  Joseph assumed all responsibility and honour befitting a father and it was Jesus who willed that he be master over himself and his Blessed Mother, taking his rightful place as the head of the Holy Family.  Though Christ is King and Our Lady is Queen, Joseph has sovereign authority over both of them as the established father-head of the family.

“Who dost thou think, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will set over his household...? Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.” - St. Luke 12:42, 44