Joseph's Lullaby

I have been overwhelmed lately with just how BIG our God is. It totally blows my mind that someone so perfect and holy would come to save us, get this, while we were still sinners! He didn't wait for us to get our act together. The Bible says He came at just the right time. Ahhh, that gives me goose bumps! How cool is that?! Just the right time. While we were still deep in the pit, in a total mess, with no hope, He came to earth to bring us a life fuller than we could have ever imagined. I love that my Savior comes to me in the pit. He doesn't throw down a rope or call from higher ground. Nope, He puts on his work boots and climbs into the muddy mess. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me that much.  

While we can all agree that all too often we get carried away with the commericalism that is Christmas, I hope you can also celebrate the fact that for one month each and every year the entire world celebrates our Savior's birth. For one month (or more, our local Wal-Mart had Christmas stuff up in October!), the radio is filled with songs about angels and the coming of Jesus. 

I wanted to share with you a song that has pulled on my heartstrings this season. We listen to Christmas music as we get ready in the morning. The first time this came on Pandora, I put down my makeup brush and just listened. Of all the things I have considered when thinking about Jesus' arrival I never imagined Joseph's feelings. Can you imagine what he was feeling? First, he thinks his girlfriend has cheated on him, then God sets him straight,then he takes his big ol' pregnant wife on a journey to his hometown... then... then he sits in a barn with his precious wife as she gives birth to the Savior of the world. Overwhelming? That's probably an understatement. Can you imagine looking at that precious little face and knowing he was going to save the world? Knowing he was yours for but a short time and then He would embark on the most amazing ministry this world has ever seen? 

I think Mercy Me sums it up perfectly in their song "Joseph's Lullaby". Keep this picture in your mind as you read (emphasis mine):

Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my child

Go to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You'll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

Sweet Joseph. As he held his perfect baby boy he was overwhelmed with love. Such a beautiful story. My Jesus left the throne of glory to come to earth as a little tiny baby. He learned to talk, learned to walk, scraped His knees, cried as his little teeth came in, learned his Father's trade... and died a criminal's death to save.the.world. Your Jesus did that. Do you ever stop praise Him for that? How incredible is that? Most days I can't even get that to sink in. He knew, in the words of Isaiah, He would be despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows acquainted with the bitterest grief. And he came anyway. If I'm being honest, when I know something is going to be that miserable, I usually bow out pretty quickly. What about Mary? What if she'd said "no". "No, God, I will not carry that baby. Do you know what is going to happen to my reputation?!" Do you know what, friends? SHE SAID YES! She said yes and she was blessed beyond comprehension. Kind of makes you wonder what you're missing out on because you keeping telling God no. 

Max Lucado says, "I have eternal life because Divinity entered the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter." Isn't God good? Out of mess... came the Messiah. 

I'll leave you with another good one from Brother Max: "Those who missed His Majesty’s arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking. Little has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?"