There are at least two examples of proper fatherhood displayed prominently in the Christmas Story:
Zacharias and Joseph
Both were handed the unexpected challenge of rearing a boy under less than normal conditions. Zacharias' son - John Baptist - was born to a specific mission in life, he was born in Zach and Elizabeth's old age, and his calling would require a unique combination of toughness and humble character.
Joseph was called to raise the Son of God. Need I say more?
In addition to preparing the proper education and example for this once-in-an eternity Child, he would also have to deal with the fact that the Child was not his own.
Both gentlemen leave us an extremely simple example of how to be a good father.
The secret to godly fatherhood can possibly be summed up in one hyphenated word:
Shut - up.
If you will recall, Zacharias found the response to his questioning disbelief of the angel's original proclamation to him to be - that he was stricken with silence. A God-given period of introspective silence . . . to proper weigh the great task that lay before him.
Joseph seemed to live under a self-imposed silence. The Biblical account records no quotes from Joseph. The closest we can get to seeing anything he said is to infer that he spoke when he "called the Baby, Jesus".
So Dad's, that's it - be quiet.
Because I have not yet mastered this concept. I must chatter on just a bit and add to more clarifying steps that I have noticed in their examples:
Listen. Obey.
Zacharias' declaration and praise that poured forth upon his release from the "dome of silence" reveals that he had been ruminating on the words the angel had spoken to him and he was one with the God's mission of J.B.
Joseph, while not heard, displayed his obedience through quick unquestioning action: accepting Mary and believing her story, finding a place for them in Bethlehem, moving to rescue the Family when warned of Herod's plot in a dream.
So that's it:
1. Hush (that's nicer to say than "shut-up")
2. Listen
3. Obey
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