Prayer: Pray for charity and a greater capacity to obey.
Song: When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Children’s Songbook, pg. 38)
Scripture: Matthew 1:19, Matthew 1:18-25
"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily."
Thought:
“As a father I have thought often of Joseph, that strong, silent, almost unknown man who must have been more worthy than any other mortal man to be the guiding foster father of the living Son of God.
It was Joseph, selected from among all men, who would teach Jesus to work. It was Joseph who taught him the books of the law. It was Joseph who, in the seclusion of the shop, helped him begin to understand who he was and ultimately what he was to become.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Maybe Christmas Doesn’t Come from a Store, Ensign, Dec. 1977“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet.… Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”
Elder Marvin J. Ashton, The Tongue can be a Sharp Sword, Ensign, May, 1992
Questions and thoughts to ponder and apply:
The scriptures don’t give us many details regarding Joseph, but we can learn from the little we have. While engaged to Mary, Joseph discovered she was pregnant.
What must he have felt? Betrayal, disappointment, embarrassment, pain? Jewish tradition punished adultery by stoning. But Joseph was a just man, and apparently also a kind and gentle man, and had decided to quietly and privately break the engagement. But when he was visited by an angel in a dream who explained the situation, he quickly changed his course of action – quite possibly that very night: “Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.” (Matt. 1:24). This disposition to obey instantly was certainly instilled in Christ as a child as he followed the example of his foster Father. How do I react when I am injured by the actions of another?
How can Joseph’s example of charity and obedience guide my own actions?
When my course of action is changed by the promptings of the Spirit am I quick to obey?
Actions:
I will follow Joseph’s example of charity and obedience and try a little harder to be a little better today!
In the copies we had printed we were not able to include the words to this song, but I can include them here. I've also included the website where the music can be found. We sang this song for our Christmas program at church one year. I think it's a lovely tribute to the man who cared for the Savior as a child.
Other resources: “Guard Him, Joseph” by Sally Deford Ensign Dec. 2007
Guard him, Joseph, as he slumbers, there behind the stable doors
Let no errant sound distress him, tread thou softly on the floor
Linger watchful round the manger; hush thy voice and still the beasts
For thou hast within thy keeping Christ, the infant Prince of Peace
Guard him, Joseph, through the darkness; watching o'er him till the dawn
Bid the shepherds enter meekly, stand in wonder, gaze in awe
Trim thy lamp and shield thy candle; see they burn all through the night
For thou hast within thy keeping Christ, the everlasting Light
Guard him, Joseph, from all danger; keep thy vigil nigh his bed
Let no harm nor grief befall him; stand thou in a father's stead
When his mother's arms be weary, hold him gently as thine own
For thou hast within thy keeping God's own well-beloved Son.
Copyright © 1996 by Sally DeFord, all rights reserved. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial home and church use. This notice must be included on each copy made.
http://www.defordmusic.com/guardhimjoseph.htm
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