You ever wonder if Joseph was a bit comforted by "all the things they had heard and seen"?
At this time of year, we often think about Mary. Mary who was probably around 13 years old. Mary who was a ponderer of many things. Mary who had seen holy. Mary who had been called blesséd. Mary.
Mary deserves our thoughts, admiration, and consideration. There is much to be learned from the example of a young girl obedient to the point of possible shame, divorce, ridicule, and, I would imagine, even stoning.
But this year I've been thinking more about Joseph. Joseph had a dream that can be found here, but I think we do a great disservice to ourselves by setting aside his story and thinking, "Well... guess that settled that, then, didn't it." Would it, had it been you? I don't think it would of, had it been me.
How many times have you heard a call-- a voice calling you to walk a difficult path that is obviously, obviously fraught with hardships? And then, once you begin to follow, are you telling me you never turn back? I know I do... in being called to walk a road that seems long, arduous, and unknown, I often find myself looking back, "painting pictures of Egypt," and wondering... did I get this right? Am I sure this is right? But what if....
It's the "what if's" that'll getcha. It's the "what if's" that'll cut your faith right out from under your feet. It's the "what if's" that destroy frienships, marriages, families, and more... not always, but sometimes... it's the "what if's".
There's no avoiding them... at least no way I've found so far. Not yet have I found a way to say 'no' to the "what if's" in my heart and life. No way, that is, but Him. He says when we call, He answers, and the best remedy for a "what if" is a good, faithful friend that's closer than a brother.
Do you ever wonder if Joseph ever looked back and thought, "what if?"
"What if I'd divorced her... what if I'd just walked away... she wouldn't be here in this huddle of animals on the outskirts of a dirty city... He wouldn't be crying out to the night (literally), freezing, sleeping in a feeding trought instead of a home, and he would have a roof over his head.
"She would be an outcast-- poor, lonely, and forgotten but for local gossip... I wouldn't have to face down friends, neighbors, relatives who give a side-long glance and a 'tsk tsk' [or would they just click their tongues in disapproval?]... I wouldn't be responsible for someone else's kid."
I don't know what happened between the conception of this baby and the trip to Bethlehem. At least 7-8 months is what happened.. but what were they filled with? Were there days that Joseph ever doubted what he'd heard?
"What was it I heard in my dream? Where did this baby come from? Can I be sure?? Really truly sure that I got that right? Or... did I just have too much wine that evening?"
I believe Joseph was a righteous man who loved the Father, but the most righteous men and women I know still doubt... still fear sometimes. What about Joseph? Did he?
So there they were... in a cave, out under the stars, surrounded by animals or just sharing the space with a camel or two... maybe they had fresh hay... maybe they didn't. But there they were. They probably looked like refugees. They'd probably always live in poverty. What great need...
And into that need, a baby was born. Do you think Joseph's heart broke as he looked around? Did he ever think, "What have we brought this little man into? What kind of life is this for any child to lead?" Do you think he wept? I do.
And then, over the Judean hills, comes a raucus rabble of ragamuffin shepherds... and talk about dirty. You thought Mary and Joseph were bad off after 70 miles of bad road? How about these guys? They sleep with the sheep. Officially unclean by Jewish law at the time*, here they came whooping, hollering, and telling everyone they met that an angel... a choir of angels... a whole chorus of ANGELS had just told them that this baby was HERE! Was in a manger! Was to be worshipped... This baby was who they'd all been waiting for. Here they were, these secular shepherds, pushed away from the temple by the law, drawn close by Him.
And do you think Joseph, upon hearing them, was comforted? I think he was... all of those doubts, worries, fears... I imagine that, at least for a moment, they were pushed aside by the whooping and hollering of a gaggle of shepherds bursting at the seams with good news. Can't you see them, grabbing him by collar, throwing their arms around his neck in warm, Middle Eastern embrace, whacking him heartily on the back, and crying, "You're the father?! You'll never believe what we just heard about this baby! You'll never believe what we just saw! I've never seen anything like it.... an array of color, and the noise! Oh, the noise! Like nothing I've ever heard... a heavenly chorus, and it came to US!! Congratulations, man! Congratulations! Man... this is amazing! We've gotta go tell everyone else about this baby! Hope you guys get some sleep, friend... could be a long night! Everyone's gonna want to see this!" And off they ran to tell the good news... the first to share the g. And I imagine Joseph was comforted... I imagine in that moment his faith was strengthend, his heart was warmed, and he, too, was drawn near with cords of human kindness.
More later.. when we get to the temple and Anna and Simeon. ^_^
*Kent Hughes of College Church, Weaton mentions this in his sermon on Luke 2 from 1993
