Joseph was Mary's betrothed -
Thoughtful and just, therefore loathe
To expose her to shame. The Lord
Was his counsel, and long had he poured
His soul and his heart into right.
His one claim to might
Lay in faithfulness - love of God's Law.
For Rome ruled Israel, Herod a straw
King under its feet. Caesar was lord
(so he said), and many predicted a sword
Would be sent by their Lord for release
And their power increase
Until they stood apart.
But for now all their arts
Could not say who or when,
And they prayed until then
They'd not stray from his ways.
And subjected they stayed -
Watching and waiting,
Hoping and praying,
Living His law and yet under Rome paying
Its price. Righteous the ground
Beneath Joseph's feet, and true justice found
His desire. Saint Matthew has told
Of his choice not to hold
Mary up before all for their scorn
And the penalty she might have borne.
Rejection surely, and perhaps death,
Some women stoned until their last breath.
A quiet divorce
Was his chosen course -
To then separate
Without fight or hate.
Such was his decision …
Until the vision.
.
Or dream. For while he was sleeping
The angel of God came on fleeting
Feet into his mind and his heart—
With footsteps so light, yet imparting
A depth and a breadth that would never
Depart. "David's son, do not sever
The bond you have made
with this maid—
This Mary, this pure and devout child
Of God, the Most High. This virgin most mild
Indeed bears a Son - the Holy One
Who is to come. A miracle, done
By the Spirit in power and wisdom,
Has long been ordained and the time has now come.
He will save. He will save from the burden
And sentence of sin, and His name when
You call it shall tell that again.
Jesus.
Emmanuel. God with us.
And Joseph, the holy and just
Man he was, did as he had been urged
By the angel of God. With courage
And faith he took Mary to wife,
Even knowing his life
Had forever been changed. And they
Had no relations til that day
Had come
When she brought forth a Son.