Songs of Christmas -- Joseph

Silent Joseph

You have no song, Joseph.
Indeed, you have no words, none,
in all of Scripture.
As the adoptive father
of the Son of God
we do not wonder that you were silent.
What words could you possibly have uttered
that would have been more poignant
than your silence?

When the angel spoke
in the midst of your agony,
you did what you were told.
No questioning.
No arguing.
No whining.

"Don't be afraid to take Mary as you wife."
"Give him the name Immanuel."

And when God led you though dreams
you rose from your bed in obedience.
"Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt."
"Get up, take the child and his mother to the land of Israel."
"Withdraw to the district of Galilee."

Joseph,
man of silent submission,
man of undaunted obedience,
man of God's own choosing
to raise His Son,
you have no song.

Ah, but you do.
Your song is your submission, your obedience.
It is your rock solid confidence
in the God of Abraham,
Isaac,
Jacob, Judah, Perez,
Hezron, Ram, Amminadab,
Nashon, Salmon, Boaz,
Obed, Jesse and David.

Your song is your willingness
to be a part of God's plan
from generation to generation,
even to your father Jacob.

Your song is loud and clear, Joseph.
Your song is sweet submission.

(Ginger Kauffman, 2014)