Tidings of Comfort and Joy: Joseph’s Song
Joseph’s Narration of God’s Creation
God’s love for the world
was shown in his creation
when His Spirit swirled in formation.
The Word made flesh
which joined them too,
as life came to be made brand new.
Light and sky, land and sea,
illuminating landscapes for all to see.
Plants and trees with beauty appease,
sun, moon, and stars appeared with ease.
Creatures swarmed in the sea,
birds flew high above the trees,
Animals emerged in the distance
as humankind came into existence.
They were image bearers,
the crown of creation
forged to be the Lord’s heart wearers.
In sabbath rest, the Trinity sees all:
with proclamations of “very good”, I recall,
but the adversary in quest of power
slithered into the Lord’s beautiful bower.
Tempted to be like God,
the humans reached for the tree
without the ability to foresee
and in the midst of garden life,
death came in and threatened strife.
Humanity began to suffer,
and life became a whole lot rougher,
with death exposed, things would be tougher
in a world now in need of a buffer.
In humanity’s plight, the Lord chose to fight;
when the time is right, darkness with Light.
Humankind removed from the garden
would need to wait to receive their pardon.
Joseph’s Narration of God’s Faithfulness to the Israelite Nation
As scripture unfolds,
prophecies of old
through many generations
were passed on and told.
Noah built a boat of plans that were shown,
Abraham went to a land unknown,
Jacob and Joseph, preserving a nation,
found Egypt a viable Israelite location.
The people enslaved,
filled with depression,
cried out to the Lord
who saw their oppression.
Four hundred years later,
Moses, sent with a translator,
petitioned the Egyption Pharaoh,
to let God’s people go.
With power and might,
Pharaoh put up a fight,
till at last they were set free
to cross the Red sea.
In the wilderness they wandered,
and for 40 years they pondered
God’s faithfulness to provide
as they disobeyed, grumbled, and cried.
As the generation passed,
it was time for a recast.
Moses told Joshua,
be strong and courageous;
with the Lord you will be advantageous!
The Lord also commissioned him,
bring the Israelites into the land
that I promised to them.
The Lord spoke on, do not be frightened,
I will be with you to guide and enlighten.
Even with everything given,
the Israelites’ necks continued to stiffen.
It mattered not what wonders and deeds
or that the Lord himself would intercede.
With no memory of the garden
their hearts continued to harden.
They begged for a king to follow and obey
thinking it would bring about a new way.
Yet Saul, David, and Soloman, the major three,
still gave the people no guarantee.
The Lord continued
to send prophets to speak,
hoping that in Him they would seek.
His loving kindness
in the midst of our blindness
ought to remind us that He is behind us.
Stories of a prophet
who would acquit and omit
the punishment that sin and death
did commit.
The Lord would save his people
from themselves
by entering into the world
Himself.
Joseph's Invitation from God to Protect a Reputation
I am a carpenter with knowledge of wood,
living my life righteously, as I should.
A woman named Mary, betrothed as my wife,
gave news to me that changed my life.
With Child she was, not possibly mine,
said to be of the Lord Divine.
The Son of God, conceived by the Spirit,
oh, how hard it was to believe it.
The Mother of God, a story of grace,
the sweet virgin Mary must not be disgraced.
Unsure of what to do,
I pondered with care
divorce as an option to quietly pursue.
A way to move forward, settled in mind:
a little less awkward to not be entwined.
With a heavy heart
I lay down to rest,
then an angel appeared
with words of protest.
Joseph, son of Daivd,
do not be afraid,
you have shown discernment
as you have prayed.
No need to fuss,
in these words you can trust:
the serpent's head must be crushed!
Your surrendered obedience must be done
with thoughtful expedience for my Son.
Take Mary, as your wife,
for she has conceived,
the Child that brings eternal life
for all who will believe.
The son she will bear,
will be God With Us here:
Proclaiming peace
instead of fear.
His name is Jesus,
the one who Sees Us,
who offers the gift of grace
that genuinely Frees Us.
Salvation is near;
Emmanuel is here,
given full for our sin
leaving no question therein.
I awoke from my sleep feeling weak,
thankful for the angel who did speak.
The baby boy,
who would whittle wood with me,
all of a sudden became real indeed.
In awe of God’s abundant love,
my heart at peace
no longer wished for Mary’s release.
Come Mary, Come.
Come Emmanuel too,
I will protect you both.
This oath is true.
What treasures my wife and son will be:
a royal family for the world to receive.
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel,
the world awaits for you to dwell.
My precious triumphant little boy,
bringing with you tidings of comfort and joy.
When the Lord says go, I listen with care,
making sure you are safe is my prayer.
From Egypt to Bethlehem,
I will walk with you there;
In courage and tenderness,
may your path be made clear.
A carpenter I am, a carpenter you shall be,
a life creating beauty for all the world to see.
Joseph I am, Son of God you will be,
a life which will set humanity free!
You will conquer death
with your very last breath
and rise again for the ultimate win!
Jesus, sweet Emmanuel,
bring forth the JOY of our salvation
to every future generation!
Spend some time in quiet reflection.
As you ponder the poem, which part(s) caught your attention and why?
What do you notice about your thoughts and emotions as you read through the poem?
This Christmas, where are you most wanting Jesus to come and meet you?
What part of Emmanuel, God with us is hard for you to receive and/or believe?
How do you hope to share the Good News of God with us this Christmas?
As always, if you desire a companion to journey with, we at Lifepoint are honored to be trusted as a listening guide alongside you.
May you receive comfort and joy as we celebrate the birth of Christ this week! Come, Lord Jeus, Come!