The standard interpretation is that by tradition in
the East, St Joseph was a widower before he married Our Lady and so is
always portrayed as an older man. He is hunched not just because of age,
but also to reveal an inner turmoil. He is in doubt about whether or
not he is witnessing a Virgin birth. The figure beside St Joseph, also
as a hunched old man but in ragged clothing is the devil tempting him.
All is resolved in the end for St Joseph loves his wife and through her
prayers resolves this doubt. The distance between St Joseph and Our Lady
emphasises also the fact the St Joseph had no part in the conception of
Our Lord.
This does not diminish the stature
of St Joseph at all, rather it serves to elevate that of Our Lady. St
Joseph is a great saint. He is the protector of the Holy Family, foster
father and guardian of Our Lord. This demonstrates by contrast with the
figure of Our Lady how she is even greater. In this sense St Joseph
might be seen as an examplar of all other saints and so Our Lady is
greater than all the other saints and angels.
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