Tuesday, December 12, 2017

A Trusting Man


"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.”  - Genesis 49:10

Do you ever wonder what Joseph must have felt when he held the baby Jesus in his arms for the first time? Well, this song brilliantly composed by Michael Card presents the birth of Jesus through the eyes and heart of Joseph. 

Joseph's Song
How could it be this baby in my arms Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be

Lord I know He's not my own, Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king

He looks so small, His face and hands so fair, and when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king

How could it be this baby in my arms Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be
--------------------------------
Alone in the stable with his pregnant wife, he kneels to hold her hand and wipe the sweat from her brow.  He removes his robe and lays it on the ground for her to lay upon.  The stable is lit by the brightest star known to mankind.  Softly the animals neigh and bleat against the quiet of the night.  Back in the city of Bethlehem, people scurry here and there in reunion of lost loved ones.  Fear overwhelms him as she begins to cry out in pain.  The birthing process begins for this blessed woman and he is the only one there to help.  A position few men would have participated in, but he had no other choice, he kneeled near her legs.  He was the only one to first hand witness the emergence of our Savior into this world. 

His loving hands were the first human touch this precious child would ever feel upon his body.  As the birth concluded, he raised the child to his chest and sobbed bitterly, for he held the Christ child in his arms.  The love of God the Father born into this world, and he was chosen to father the boy.  Laying the child upon the chest of his wife, he covered the babe with some of the swaddling cloths carried the many miles from Nazareth.  He took water from the trough and washed the blood and mucus from the new-born as it rested upon her bosom.  He then proceeded to tend to the care of his wife and her needs as well.  He covered the mother and child with his cloak and turned from them to let them rest.

This man, then looked about the stable for a resting place for his new-born.  He emptied the hay trough (manger) and found fresh hay from the corner.  Breaking the stalks, softening them, he filled the trough and placed it near to the woman, as she slept with the child cradled in her arms.  He lay next to her, wrapping his arms around them both as he looked to the sky.  The star of the Lord cast a light upon the young couple.  He lifted his prayers to God the Father, asking for strength, wisdom and courage to raise this child and take care of his wife.  His mind filled with the love of the Father as he closed his eyes to sleep.
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You realize this is my imagination.  There is no written record of how the event played out that night.  As a father of 5 and grand-father of 5, I can attest to the emotion of seeing the miraculous event of a child being born.  My heart fills with love every time, so I can’t even begin to imagine the depth of love Joseph had to be feeling that night, but the love I have experienced pales in comparison.  Joseph was a man chosen by God, from the line of Abraham, Isaac and Judah – just as the prophets had declared.  God’s perfect plan came to fruition because this man trusted in the Father, not because he asked for it or desired it.  He accepted his position in the plan of salvation.  We hear very little from Joseph after the birth, but can deduce from this very event his love, commitment and belief in the Father and his sovereignty over mankind.  Joseph was truly a servant of the Lord.

Be Blessed,
Rich


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