Joseph.
Carpenter.
Worker of wood.
Wood is predictable.
People – not so much.
I thought I knew her.
We were engaged.
Troth plighted and all that.
Now I find she’s…
Pregnant.
Not mine.
Having visions.
Never did that before.
Angels.
Spouting poetry.
“My soul doth magnify…”
Don’t remember that before either.
No one else knows.
Yet.
Not the sort of thing you talk about.
I have a case.
If I wanted.
Ironclad.
No.
Just make a quiet split.
Easier.
That was yesterday.
Are visions contagious?
Now I’m seeing angels.
OK, just the one.
“Don’t be afraid” he says.
“Take Mary to be your wife.”
“Conceived of the Holy Spirit…”
OK.
Divorce canceled, wedding back on.
Marry Mary, raise the Son of God.
Not sure I understand it all.
Not quite what I’d pictured.
Not my plan, but…
I trust Him.
Just as long as I don’t start with the poetry…
–Mark J. Leamy
Read Matthew 1:18-25. (All of this week’s scriptures are right here.)
Read Matthew 2:1-15.
Read Luke 2:21-39.
Read Luke 2:41-52.
These are the only scriptures that show Joseph in action. In fact, the Bible records only his actions and none of his words. And every time we meet him in the scriptures, he is obeying God. In Matthew, we read of an angel visiting Joseph, twice, and each time Joseph promptly followed the command the angel brought him from God. In Luke we see Joseph traveling to Bethlehem with Mary, and following all the Jewish laws: circumcision, taking sacrifices to the temple and making a trip to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.
God knows each of us. He knows our dark times, our celebrations, our strengths and our weaknesses. God didn’t ask Joseph to proclaim poetic praises. God didn’t wake up John the Baptist to make a middle of the night departure for Egypt. God didn’t require Mary to take a life-long temperance pledge. He did ask each of them to serve him in very difficult circumstances—and to serve him in their own unique ways. I find this encouraging and inspiring during the last weeks of the year. There are so many celebrations, so many demands on my time, so many expectations—but God knows me. He knows what I can do and what I can’t do.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 Message)
Read Psalm 139. Look for a treasure verse or phrase.
My treasure verse today is Psalm 139:16.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
You know every single one of my days—
even the days I sputter that it just isn’t my day—
and you know me
so I can trust you to walk with me.
I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.” (Psalm 139:5 Message)
Photo Credit: John Gonsalves
Light for a Dark Season 
I really like the phrase from Ps. 139.5 your reassuring preasent, coming and going. It’s a great reassurance that the Lord is always with us and it is a comfort that we are not alone!
LikeLike