Perhaps Joseph would have checked such a book out of the Nazareth public library. If you think fathers can feel inadequate these days, how do you suppose this carpenter felt teaching the One who made the trees? How do you impart wisdom to the One who is Wisdom? But he did. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52 ESV).
Of course, there was no public library in Nazareth. But there was a synagogue. That’s where Joseph took Jesus. There was no Fatherhood for Dummies book. But there were the Holy Scriptures. That’s what Joseph read and recited to Jesus perhaps while teaching Him to make a chair.
God gave an ordinary man, Joseph, the unparalleled responsibility to care for and nurture Jesus. The carpenter from Nazareth did the best he could with the gifts God had given him. That’s the responsibility God gives to fathers today. “Do the best you can with what I have given you to care for and nurture your children. Bring them to My house. Read them My Word. I will be at work in their lives and yours.”
Almighty Father, You entrusted Your Son to the protection of Joseph, His earthly father. We thank You for the gift of our fathers. Help them to provide for both the physical and spiritual needs of their families so that in all things they may be examples of Your fatherly love.