There are many biblical characters that populate our Christmas tradition: angels, a jealous king, a pregnant virgin, wisemen from the East, lonely shepherds and lowing cattle, and, of course the baby Jesus. But what about that quiet, unassuming man standing by the manger in our nativity sets? Although Joseph of Nazareth was descended from a long line of kings and governors, he earned his living by the sweat of his brow. Because Joseph was a direct descendant of the royal line of David, if there had been an Israelite king in the days of the Roman Empire, Joseph might even ...