This week in our "Birthing God" series we hear the story of Joseph, who, faced with a socially destroying decision, decided to shoulder the responsibility of an unwed mother, because he comes to believe it is the salvation of the world. His [and Mary's] decision honours all the decisions of followers of Christ everywhere who shoulder responsibility, sickness, one another's burdens in following the Christ who said, "Deny yourself, take up your cross [shoulder it] and follow me." Joseph and Mary's shouldering of this burden, allows Jesus to shoulder our burdens to open eternity.