The Virgin Mary had a baby boy, but oy,
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| I found this image here: https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/ joseph-witnesses-birth-jesus/ #.YEOgWGhKg2w |
what comes to my mind, anyway is Joseph.
Handsome carpenter who caught sweet Mary's eye,
proposed, was patiently awaiting the big day
when he could take her in his arms and to his bed.
Instead, the ultimate in disappointment
Forlorn and angry, torn, a Jew who loved the Law,
he knew the matter must be dealt with.
But as he conjured Mary's face with pure, angelic grace
he couldn't bring himself to drag her through
the mud of what would follow, gossip
and disgrace, the wagging tongues and pointing
fingers of the people in their town. Profoundly
sad, he reckoned he would be a bachelor
for all his days, for after such betrayal,
how could he ever trust a maid again? He would
just quietly cast her out, the anguish of divorce
on top of heartbreak. Decision made, he went to sleep
with visions of the bride that would not be
until an angel interrupted with some news.
It wasn't some young yahoo who had
stolen her but Yahweh. God himself who'd chosen
her from all of time, from all the globe.
"I'm in good company," he said aloud.
The Holy Spirit was the one who planted seed
within her. "Virgin still," he thought, "still pure and sweet.
Her body may belong to God divine but oh, her heart.,
her heart, at least, is mine." He brought her
to the home he had prepared and watched her
belly grow and patiently endured the months
of lying there beside her in the night,
the smell of her hair and breath enough to drive
him mad. He'd reach around her in the darkness,
touch the skin that held a miracle. They'd
laugh to feel omnipotence that kicked and danced
inside and Mary, shyly, would assure him with a kiss
that soon, she would be truly his again.
(So little did they know of what would come.)
The long walk to Jerusalem, the humble barn,
amazing shepherds and a sky that echoed
praises from the angels all around. A night
of wonders was the birth of Joseph's son-who-
wasn't-really, but he'd raise him right,
a carpenter with skills and patience with the
wood. As Joseph brushed a hair that fell
upon the face of Jesus as he nursed, the unplanned
father stared upon the mother's breast. He'd waited many
months and now he'd wait a few weeks more,
perhaps a bit less patiently, to consummate
his love for his sweet perfect bride.
(c) 2021, Ellen Gillette
