A Message for Joseph

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,
and will call him Immanuel."
~Isaiah 7:14~

The gossip lines have done their work; the news is spread abroad;
The village is alive with talk - who dishounored God?
Joseph was an honourable man, his ancestry well known;
Kind and gentle in his ways, as the years had shown.

Then he met a lovely maid, a gentle little miss,
He was mesmerized by her, now life was truly bliss.
They made their plans to wed one day and be forever one,
For Joseph, the fine carpenter, a new life had begun.

Preparations soon were made, such joy filled his heart.
Happiness could know no bounds, in this brand new start.
Mary, what a tender name, loving, gentle pure;
Holding to the truth of God, in His love secure.

Together they would serve their God, adhere to His commands,
Gathering council at His throne, as they made their plans.
Then one day the word got out, Mary was with child!
Joseph's heart was torn in two - his betrothed, defiled?
How could Mary treat him so when his love was true,
How could she degrade their dreams? Now what could he do?

He supposed the best would be to send her far away,
He couldn't bear to part with her, but, what will people say?
Turmoil, grief, astonishment, would not let him rest;
How could Mary treat him thus, when they'd been so blessed?

In the night an angel came - was it but a dream?
No, the message God sent forth, they were still a team.
"Joseph, go ahead and wed, God brought this about;
Mary has been true to you, you mustn't ever doubt.
Yes, it's true, she is with child, but He's the promised One,
All the years that man has sought, now He's here! God's Son!

Mary is the one God chose to fulfill His plan,
And, Joseph, you stand by her side, help her all you can.
Don't let others cause you doubt, Mary has been blessed,
Be a father to this Child, and put your mind at rest."

When Joseph wakened, fear was gone, joy was there instead,
They'd raise this Child with love; he'd heard what God had said!
Folks could not destroy their trust, nor their life together;
Love would stand the test of time in calm or stormy weather.
~ © Greta Zwaan ~