Saturday, December 11, 2010
MercyMe - Joseph's Lullaby
To say Joesph is the forgotten person in the whole Christmas narrative is really a huge understatement. We hear of the Shepherds, the wise men and of course Mary but Joseph . He seems to be a shadow in the story. But in reality , he was amazing man and we are given a few clues into what type of man he was . The fact that he was to be Mary's husband ,just as Mary was chosen to give birth to Jesus , Joesph was picked as the earthly father of Jesus. Nothing happens by chance , God showed grace to Joseph in giving him the task to father Jesus.
When we look to scripture we see recorded he was a just man or righteous (Matthew 1:19) This reveals he was a true believer of God . That he was devote . It also tells that upon him finding out Mary was with child , and under the assumption from adultery , even though it was within his right to deal with her harshly , he showed mercy and compassion.He had decided to divorce her quietly , for he did not want to shame her. In doing this one can also , I believe , points to his genuine love towards her . Finally , he was obedient to God . Upon the Angel of the Lord telling him that the child within Mary was from the Holy Spirit and that he shall take her as his wife . He obeyed . Showing a active and living faith .
I still recall holding my sons in my arms after they were born. Thinking of the blessing and responsibility I now had as a Dad. I'm sure that on that faithful night Joesph did the same . He probably made sure that Mary was cared for , that the stable was as clean as possible and that the manger or cattle trough had clean straw .That is what a good husband would do and there can be no doubt he was. He is more than a shadow at Christmas , he was a faithful servant of God who entrusted him with protecting and loving Jesus , his Saviour and mine.
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When you think about it, it really is amazing. God knew what He was doing, obviously, when He choose Joseph to raise His Son. It fulfilled the prophesies, as well. Jesus had to be of the house and lineage of David. The house of David through Joseph, as Mary's husband, so legally his son. The lineage of David, through Mary, His biological mother.
People think my cancer was my first brush with death, it wasn't. I remember when our first son was born, as well, and then nothing for the next day and a half. You had to face the reality that you may have had to raise Jake alone. When I finally emerged from the non stop seizures, my roommate told me that you bathed, changed and fed him like you'd been doing it for years. She said that you had every hormonal mother, on that maternity ward, half in love with you.
I knew then how blessed our little family was to have you. When things are going well we forget that it can turn on a dime. God never does or allows anything unless it is through His good purpose, even if we can't see it at the time. Even when everything seems it's bleakest, He is there.
I'm sure Mary felt just as amazed at Joseph's willingness to stand by her. Her life and that of her son's was in his hands. But, God knew who to pick to raise His Son. I thank Him every day that He knew who to pick to help raise ours. Love you, Mrs Reg
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