(~) Joseph's Letter Home ~A Christmas Story


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Topic: Religions > Bible
User: "Ninure Saunders"
Date: 30 Dec 2003 09:11:26 AM
Object: (~) Joseph's Letter Home ~A Christmas Story
(~) Joseph's Letter Home ~A Christmas Story
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away
privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is
of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:18-20
___
Dear Mom,
We're still in Bethlehem--Mary and I and little Jesus.
There were lots of things I couldn't talk to you about last summer. You
wouldn't have believed me then, but maybe I can tell you now. I hope you
can understand.
You know, Mom, I've always loved Mary. You and dad used to tease me about
her when she was still a girl. She and her brothers used to play on our
street. Our families got together for supper. But the hardest day of my
life came scarcely a year ago when I was twenty and she only fifteen. You
remember that day, don't you?
The trouble started after we were betrothed and signed the marriage
agreement at our engagement. That same spring Mary had left abruptly to
visit her old cousin Elizabeth in Judea. She was gone three whole months.
After she got back, people started wondering out loud if she were
pregnant. It was cloudy the day when I finally confronted her with the
gossip. "Mary," I asked at last, "are you going to have a baby?"
Her clear brown eyes met mine. She nodded.
I didn't know what to say. "Who?" I finally stammered.
Mom, Mary and I had never acted improperly--even after we were betrothed.
Mary looked down. "Joseph," she said. "There's no way I can explain. You
couldn't understand. But I want you to know I've never cared for anyone
but you." She got up, gently took my hands in hers, kissed each of them as
if it were the last time she would ever do that again, and then turned
towards home. She must have been dying inside. I know I was.
The rest of the day I stumbled through my chores. It's a wonder I didn't
hurt myself in the woodshop. At first I was angry and pounded out my
frustrations on the doorframe I was making. My thoughts whirled so fast I
could hardly keep my mind on my work. At last I decided just to end the
marriage contract with a quiet divorce. I loved her too much to make a
public scene.
I couldn't talk to you. Or anyone, for that matter. I went to bed early
and tried to sleep. Her words came to me over and over. "I've never cared
for anyone but you.... I've never cared for anyone but you...." How I
wished I could believe her!
I don't know when I finally fell asleep. Mom, I had a dream from God. An
angel of the Lord came to me. His words pulsated through my mind so
intensely I can remember them as if it were yesterday.
"Joseph, son of David," he thundered, "do not fear to take Mary home as
your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."
I couldn't believe my ears, Mom. This was the answer! The angel continued,
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
The angel gripped my shoulders with his huge hands. For a long moment his
gaze pierced deep within me. Just as he turned to go, I think I saw a
smile on his shining face.
I sat bolt upright in bed. No sleep after that! I tossed about for a
while, going over the words in my mind. Then I got up and dressed quietly
so I wouldn't wake you.
I must have walked for miles beneath the moonless sky. Stars pricked the
blackness like a thousand tiny pinpoints. A warm breeze blew on my face.
I sang to the Lord, Mom. Yes, me, singing, if you can imagine that. I
couldn't contain my joy. I told Him that I would take Mary and care for
her. I told Him I would watch over her--and the child--no matter what
anyone said.
I got back just as the sun kissed the hilltops. I don't know if you still
recall that morning, Mom. I can see it in my mind's eye as if it were
yesterday. You were feeding the chickens, surprised to see me out.
Remember?
"Sit down," I said to you. "I've got to tell you something." I took your
arm and helped you find a seat on the big rock out back. "Mom," I said,
"I'm going to bring Mary home as my wife. Can you help make a place for
her things?"
You were silent a long time. "You do know what they're saying, don't you,
son?" you said at last, your eyes glistening.
"Yes, Mom, I know."
Your voice started to rise. "If your father were still alive, he'd have
some words, I'll tell you. Going about like that before you are married.
Disgracing the family and all. You... you and Mary ought to be ashamed of
yourselves!"
You'd never have believed me if I'd tried to explain, so I didn't. Unless
the angel had spoken to you, you'd have laughed me to scorn.
"Mom, this is the right thing to do," I said.
And then I started talking to you as if I were the head of the house.
"When she comes I don't want one word to her about it," I sputtered.
"She's your daughter-in-law, you'll respect her. She'll need your help if
she's to bear the neighbors' wagging tongues!""
I'm sorry, Mom. You didn't deserve that. You started to get up in a huff.
"Mom," I murmured, "I need you." You took my hand and got to your feet,
but the fire was gone from your eyes.
"You can count on me, Joseph," you told me with a long hug. And you meant
it. I never heard another word. No bride could hope for a better
mother-in-law than you those next few months.
Mom, after I left you I went up the road to Mary's house and knocked. Her
mother glared at me as she opened the door. Loudly, harshly she called
into the house, "It's Joseph!" almost spitting out my name as she said it.
My little Mary came out cringing, as if she expected me give her the back
of my hand, I suppose. Her eyes were red and puffy. I can just imagine
what her parents had said.
We walked a few steps from the house. She looked so young and afraid.
"Pack your things, Mary," I told her gently. "I'm taking you home to be my
wife."
"Joseph!" She hugged me as tight as she could. Mom, I didn't realize she
was so strong.
I told her what I'd been planning. "We'll go to Rabbi Ben- Ezer's house
this week and have him perform the ceremony."
I know it was awfully sudden, Mom, but I figured the sooner we got married
the better it would be for her, and me, and the baby.
"Mary, even if our friends don't come, at least you and I can pledge our
love before God." I paused. "I think my Mom will be there. And maybe your
friend Rebecca would come if her dad will let her. How about your
parents?"
I could feel Mary's tiny frame shuddering as she sobbed quietly.
"Mary," I said. I could feel myself speaking more boldly. "No matter what
anyone says about you, I'm proud you're going to be my wife. I'm going to
take good care of you. I've promised God that."
She looked up.
I lowered my voice. "I had a dream last night, Mary. I saw an angel. I know."
The anguish which had gripped her face vanished. She was radiant as we
turned away from the house and began to walk up the hill together.
Just then her mother ran out into the yard. "Wait," she called. She must
have been listening from behind the door. Tears were streaming down her
cheeks.
"I'll get your father," she called, almost giddy with emotion. "We," she
cried as she gathered up her skirts. "We," she shouted as she began to run
to find her husband. "We ... are going to have a wedding!"
That's how it was, Mom. Thanks for being there for us. I'll write again soon.
Love, Joseph
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Notes For The Editor
A marriage contract, specifically Writings of Betrothal, had been drawn
up. Betrothal could only be broken by divorce. Ordinarily the marriage
itself would take place a year or so after betrothal. See Alfred
Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ (Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970, reprint of 1876 ed.), pp. 148-151; Alfred
Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1969, reprinted from 1886 ed.), Vol 1, pp. 148-151; Joachim
Jeremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus (Philadelphia: Fortress Press,
1962, ET 1969), p. 367; and J.A.Thompson, "Marriage," in J. D. Douglas,
et. al. (eds.), New Bible Dictionary (Second Edition; Wheaton: Tyndale,
1982), p. 743-744.
Matthew 1:20-21 is quoted in the New International Version.
Ninure Saunders aka Rainbow Christian
http://Rainbow-Christian.tk
The Lord is my Shepherd and He knows I'm Gay
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