Jospeh's Song

 

Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.
- William Parks

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I Was Not His Father, He Was Mine

Joseph - I Was Not His Father, He Was Mine - YouTube

He was working late one evening
With the wood he knew so well
When she thought
she recognized him
Though at first,
She couldn't tell

As she humbly begged his pardon
A strange sadness swelled inside
When she asked,
"Aren't you the father
Of that man they crucified?"
Then the carpenter repeated
What he's said so many times
He said, "I was not His father,
He was mine."

Then he humbly went on working
With his worn
and calloused hands
Though she did not ask
more questions
He knew she didn't understand.

So he asked if she would help him
He saw her answer
in a glance
And She did the chores
he asked her
And She was grateful for the chance
Then they talked for hours of Jesus
And how he knew He was divine
He said "I was not His father,
He was mine.
How could one

So foolish and so flawed
Ever hope to raise
the Son of God?"

Then he spoke
of the misgivings
He had had
a thousand times
Now Jesus found
the tender moments
To let him know
He had done just fine

Then the carpenter recited
The greatest truths
he'd ever learned
And testified
they came from Jesus
And then her heart
within her burned

Then They embraced as she departed,
Joseph told her one more time,
"Tell them I was not His father
Tell them He was mine
No, I was not His father,
He was mine."

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Recipe

Fuzzy White Navel
2 to 4 large oranges*
2 cups vanilla ice cream
½ cup chopped fresh or canned peaches
4 ice cubes
Fresh mint

To make orange shells, slice off about ¼¼ of each orange at the blossom end. With a spoon, scoop out pulp and juice; save. Scrape shells clean; chill.

In blender, combine pulp and juice of two oranges, ice cream, peaches and ice cubes; blend until smooth. To serve, pour into chilled orange shells. Garnish with mint and serve with short straws.

*Depending on size of oranges, four shells may be needed. Only add the pulp and juice of two oranges to blender

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Make Christmas Special

As the old song goes, "there's no place like home for the holidays." This year, those lyrics are more applicable than ever. Because of coronavirus, many families are having private celebrations this year instead of family get togethers. If that's the case for you or your family, have no fear — there are still things you can do. For example, have a mask making party. Turn paper plates into snowmen masks, or Santa Claus masks. Have a zoom party. My son Nathan suggested a talent show, so we’re having a Christmas Talent Show. What fun! Take the time to make memories.

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Yesterday, I made a donation to the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program. My path today led me to think about Joseph and the influence foster fathers can have in our lives. I’d like to share those thoughts with you.

Joseph’s role is almost overlooked at Christmas. There are very few carols centered around him. Let’s look at what we know of him. He was a carpenter. (Carpenters at that time crafted furniture, they didn’t build homes). He was an upright man. You can be sure that Heavenly Father carefully examined the man who would be the earthly father of His son. There is not a single instance in the scriptures which indicated that Joseph was ever cruel or abusive. He thought before he acted. He believed the angels and married Mary. He listened to the warning and took his wife and child to Egypt, saving Jesus’ life. He taught him to work with his hands, to be a carpenter.

Dr. Ralph Wilson has hundreds of wonderful stories found at joyfulheart.com. I love the story entitled “The Cradle, A Christmas Story”. Unfortunately, his writings are copyrighted. There is a disclaimer on the site stating that you may not post his work on the internet. Please goto this link for today’s story.

The Cradle, a Christmas Story - Christian Articles Archive (joyfulheart.com)