Joseph's Affirmation: A Reflecton on Jesus' Birth
[originally written a couple nights before Ian’s birth, Dec. 19th, 2009 @ 2:22am] |
| Photo by Tim Umphreys on Unsplash |
It's almost midnight, and I'm reflecting on how it hit me today: Joseph, the father of Jesus, probably really needed those angels the night Jesus was born. God, the heavenly Father, knew this and sent pitch-perfect, powerful heralds to give voice to Joseph's paternal pride.
I was running around doing errands today for Norma, thinking Norma would be done giving birth by midnight tonight, so I was getting more excited by the hour. I felt so content, sure, and relaxed at the pace of the day. I thought, because it is close to Christmas, "Man, do I have it better than Jesus' dad. Old Joseph, he had it rough. No insurance, no shock absorbers in the car, just a donkey, a blanket, and a long walk to get ready for the birth of his son. I got it made." And this scene flashed through my mind:
When he was walking or riding with his very pregnant wife, Joseph probably got impatient. When he came into the busy town little town of Bethlehem, and needed a spot to rest and be warm, he visited many places hoping and asking God, maybe, for help. He was a carpenter. Probably, he was way out of his element travelling with his new wife, having to meet her needs and nowhere near the workshop, the tools and the control and the familiar. No amount of money could buy a warm bed when all were already sold out. So, after a long journey on foot or animal, no place to rest, and a baby on the way, Joseph, a regular man, was probably feeling defeated and useless, frustrated, and unable to provide for his bride, let alone himself. So, the next in a long line of innkeepers says sorry, and perhaps Mary winces, whimpers or calls for him. The apologetic innkeeper starts to shut the door, and thinks again about the man he's about to shut out. "He did look more tired than the others, and that wife of his sounded like she was in pain..." Memories rushed into the innkeepers mind of the sights and sounds of his own wife in pain, especially when his children were born. He peeks out. Joseph is holding the woman reassuringly. The stable! The thought is unconventional, but the innkeeper remembers the mash of fear and exhilaration of his first child's arrival.
As they turn to leave, Mary's body is outlined by moonlight. She is pregnant, she is breathing tearfully, almost fascinated, as if she's envisioning giving birth by the road out of sheer necessity. The innkeeper stutters awkwardly, "S-S-Sir? Sir!". Joseph hesitates, turns, and the innkeeper is already approaching so fast, Joseph is startled. "Sir, come look at what I can offer you. It's not much, but... You need to stop looking and move on to more important things like getting her off that donkey." Joseph feels lighter already. Mary starts to thank God aloud before her breath is taken away by another contraction...Joseph's face perhaps tightened at this point, and soon the adventure would begin that is having a child for the first time. For Joseph and Mary, however, it was terrifying, even with the generosity and quick thinking of the innkeeper.
When Jesus the infant was finally born, Joseph welled up. The emotion was indescribable. God showed up in so many ways: Mary's strength, the boy's perfect little fingers... Joseph's mind raced, making connections. He sang a simple song his mother and aunts sang to little infants. He did this instantly and without hesitation, though he never had felt like singing much before. Then he just smiled and imagined working with the boy, cutting wood, teaching him, loving him.
This child was going to be special, and Joseph just raced ahead watching Jesus growing in his mind's eye, and then he simply said, "Thank you, God Almighty" over and over. Then Joseph said a little louder, "Glorious! God, you are the Father of fathers." His own father raced into his heart and mind, and Joseph simply prayed "Lord Almighty, you are so powerful, you gave me a son, and I'm your son. I'm amazed. I'm overwhelmed."
Joseph's words and tears, memories and songs continued for a while as he realized that Jesus was safe, and God had provided all, both tonight and Joseph's whole life: shelter, food, family, traditions, parents, songs, faith, all that he needed. Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, all the stories of fathers, rushed in, and the teachers who'd taught those stories. Joseph thought to himself ecstatically deep in his new father soul, "Glory! glory to God, the Lord Almighty!".
Joseph dared not shout as Mary and Jesus dozed off, but whoa, did he feel like cutting loose. Singing. Light. Celebration on a previously unknown, intimate level. All Joseph's meditations were sung that night, by perfect singers. Angels put into song what Joseph felt. Although Joseph dared not shout, the angels arrived, ready to stir the heavens. God gave voice to Joseph's heart. Joseph was initiated into fatherhood that night after an epic battle of endurance, frustration and helplessness.
Joseph was affirmed and validated that night in rare form, and all Joseph's amazement was sung wonderfully for a while. It was original and stunning. The songs roused Mary from exhausted dozing and she simply wept, because Joseph understood something he hadn't understood hours earlier, and because God was a good Father, who shows up and rescues and provides, and because angels singing sweetly over your newborn makes you feel like a precious newborn yourself: surrounded, loved, secure, special, celebrated.On that night, God showed up for Joseph.
And that's what got me today. God is the father of fathers and all those angels singing over the stable were there as an act of love and care for Jesus' parents at least as much as they were there to announce the savior. Joseph didn't get to deliver his son in a hospital, but the memory of that night was the treasured one in his whole relationship with God. I believe God came through for Joseph when Joseph was overwhelmed and weary, and like a loving father, knew how to put the cherry on top; a historic angelic Acappella celebration to represent the swelling pride of every new father.
On that night, even God the Father was having a firstborn son of sorts, and it was time to celebrate in every possible way: food, songs, gifts, visitors, rest, prayer, relief, appreciation, affection, intimacy, emotion, affirmation.
Michael P. Lovett,
December 19, 2009,
as I await the arrival of my 2nd son, Ian
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