Joseph Was Truly Blessed

Joseph Was Truly Blessed

St Matthew 1:20 states, “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.”

       Joseph was in terrible mental anguish.  If he put Mary away publically, the Jews would probably stone her to death.  So, he was contemplating putting her away privately.  He certainly needed to hear from God.  So, God sent his angel to assure Joseph that God was going to take care of Mary and himself. 

       Did you ever think of what would have happened if Joseph had failed God at this crucial time in the history of mankind?  What would have happened to Mary?   What would have happened to the baby Jesus who was not yet born of the Virgin Mary?  It is easy for us to postulate that God would not have let anything happen to the Baby Jesus, but it took the obedience of both Mary and Joseph for God to complete His perfect will.  If Joseph had not had a choice, I do not believe that his choice would have been recorded in the Holy Writ.

       Compared to Joseph’s choice, many of our choices in life seem somewhat insignificant.  At this time of Christmas, it behooves all Christian musicians to remember that our choices, no matter how small they seem, do matter.  If God could trust Joseph to make the right choice, surely He will help us to make right choices during this Christmas season.  Joseph was truly blessed because God could trust him to make the right decision.

       I know from experience that it is about this time in December that musicians go into depression.  We wish that our Christmas presentations would have been performed more accurately.  We can think of a thousand and one things that we could have done more efficiently.  However the Presentations are over and we are left with the “Christmas program blues”.  Look up! I believe God’s angel is saying to you “do not be afraid.  God has accepted your musical offering.”  It isn’t the grandness of our musical offerings that matter but it is the fact that we have given Him the best offering that we were capable of giving and that we offered it as an offering “in righteousness”.

Song, Thought, and Prayer for the Day

Song for the Day “Good Christian me Rejoice”  Latin Carol, 16th Century, translated by John Neale

Thought for the Day--Mary was truly blessed above all women to be chosen to bear the Christ Child.  She was blessed because God knew that she would be obedient to the will of God.  She was also blessed because she was obedient to God’s will.

Prayer for the Day 

I want to thank you Lord for placing all those music ministers out there in your kingdom to minister musically to those who experience the musicing of my choir and orchestra this Christmas.  May the words, melodies, and harmonies, that they produce bring honor to your matchless name.  Lord, help all those who are out there musicing for You this Christmas season to not become weary in well doing.  Help us all to be faithful to the task of telling the good news of Christ’s coming to those who attend worship services and sacred music productions this Christmas.  These things I am praying in your name.  Amen.