Joseph had his perception of the world changed. Even though Joseph was a religious man whose faith was part of his understanding of the world, the idea that there could be direct intervention by God in the world was unreasonable to him. Like many of us, the idea that the physical order could be influenced the way it was with Mary - a new creative act of God within her womb - the only interpretation of events was that Mary had conceived the child with another man.
But Joseph has his own world-altering revelation. Another visitation by an angel reaffirms Mary's news - what is happening is happening because the Holy Spirit has done something new.
Once the reality is embraced the world is a different place. His actions become clear, resolved and he is able to embrace his part in the unfolding story.
He affirms this be completing his duty in the way ordained by the angel - he names the miracle child, Jesus.
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