THE FIRST CHRISTMAS - JOSEPH'S TALE

A humble man of Nazareth
Or so its oft been said,
Found his bride with child
Before they e'er were wed.
Joseph was that humble soul
Mary his betrothed,
To shame her to the masses
He did not feel behoved.
So it was this humble man
A man of David's line,
Thought to send her quiet hence
Till swayed by dream Divine.

An Angel sent from Heaven
To Joseph did proclaim,
'Mary bears the Son of God
Let Jesus be his name.'
So Joseph married Mary
Just as the Angel said,
Straightway then to Bethlehem
His pregnant wife he led.
There to pay his taxes
As Roman law laid down,
Nowhere could they find to stay
In all that crowded town.

In a stable 'neath a shining star
The blesséd babe was born,
Signalled from the heavens
By an Angel's golden horn.
A band of frightened shepherds
Came first unto the child,
Into his holy presence
They reverently filed.
Then upon the morning
A further twelve days hence,
The Magi came with gifts of gold,
Of myrrh and frankincence.

An Angel bad the shepherds seek
The Christ Child's manger bed,
An Angel warned the Magi
King Herod wished him dead.
To Joseph too an Angel came
To warn of Herod's threat,
To Egypt they were told to flee
Lest Herod's goal be met.
Joseph took the Angel's word
No questions did he ask,
Protection of the Saviour
His sacred, lifelong task.
* * * * *
In the tale of that first Christmas
Joseph played great part,
So let us love like he did
With full and open heart.
Midst fun and friends and family
Midst carols, cards and cheer,
Let the grace of Christmas
Be felt throughout the year.
Be we Christian folk or no
The Christmas message stands:
Open hearts and open minds
And open outstretched hands.
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COPYRIGHT DM PAMMENT 2nd DECEMBER 2010