Joy to the World by Scott Hahn

"Joy to the World by Scott Hahn is written as a meditation on the Holy Family, specifically at the time of Jesus’ Incarnational birth. Throughout the book, Dr. Hahn expounds on the historical circumstances of the time Mary and Joseph were living in and engages in rich scriptural analysis on the passages relating to the birth of Jesus. As we approach Christmas, we often hear the phrase “Keep Christ in Christmas.” What Joy to the World strives to do is put the focus of Christmas on the family. The parents are the primary educators of their children and the way through which they experience the Catholic faith. Dr. Hahn throughout the book holds up Mary and Joseph as the ideal mother and father. Mary gives her fiat, her agreement, to being
the mother of God and allowing God to receive a human nature from her. Some theologians use the word “co-redemptrix” when talking about our Blessed Mother because, without her saying “yes” to the Incarnation, God would not have become Incarnate. God chose to place the decision of humanity’s salvation on a woman, a mother. In the same way, all mothers have the task of nurturing their children and teaching how to fulfill their purpose in life, which is to get to Heaven. As for St. Joseph as a father he lived out his role of protector of the Holy Family perfectly and is a model for all fathers. Even though we never hear one word from St. Joseph in Scripture, his actions tell us the depth of his love for Mary and Jesus. He honored Mary’s virginal oath to God and was chaste in his relationship with her without it taking away one ounce of his love for her. He was willing to leave his home and travel to Egypt all to protect Jesus. All fathers are called to love their spouses and children like St. Joseph, willing to sacrifice their lives for them as a mortification of love. Christmas is a time to reflect on both Jesus and his parents. Particularly in a culture where the family is largely devalued, this book is a wonderful way to place the focus of this Christmas on the family and to strive to grow holier as a family through the model of the Holy Family."