CHRISTMAS PRAYERS 2

Who has not considered Mary

And who her praise would dim,

But what of humble Joseph

Is there no song for him?

 

If Joseph had not driven

Straight nails through honest wood

If Joseph had not cherished

His Mary as he should;

 

If Joseph had not proved him

A sire both kind and wise

Would he have drawn with favour

The Child’s all-probing eyes?

 

Would Christ have prayed ‘Our Father’

Or cried that name in death

Unless he first had honored

Joseph of Nazareth?

(Gilbert Thomas)

We don’t ever fully know the consequences of the way we ‘do’ life an its relationships, do we Lord? I thank you for the ‘Josephs’ (not all of them male) in my life:

…. the Joseph who taught me by example to do all work thoroughly and honestly

…. The Joseph who taught me how trustworthy can be the loving commitment of marriage

…. The Joseph who taught me how strong and gentle and protective can be parental love

…. The Joseph who taught me the wisdom and integrity ordinary men and women are capable of in their untrumpeted lives

…. The Joseph who taught me the name ‘Father’ to call on in life’s bitter or hurtful experiences; yes, even in the final struggles of mortality.

Lord, thank you for my own special ‘Josephs’: I name before you here……

Lord, thank you for all those who are being such as Joseph to someone at this moment. Lord, as parent or spouse, son or daughter, brother, sister, friend or fellow-worker: help me to be, in some way, a ‘Joseph’ for others. Today, and in the days to come. Amen.

(Ruth Etchells, Safer than a Known Way, p.149-150)