Joseph

I am the man
who took the woman’s shame
upon myself, defied
those who murmured whispers
counting months
and sheltered her with my name.

I am the man
who trod hard roads
beside her, held her, swaying
bowing on the donkey
with the Life-Spring
of the universe
kicking in her swollen womb.

Long the hours
we journeyed on,
panted in the small shade
whispered to the waiting Majesty
prayed Him stay His coming
a little while yet.

Rough and awkward
unprepared,
I am the man
who was midwife
at the birth of the Eternal One,
and held Divinity
squalling, bloody in my hands
while the Prophets’ voices
thundered in my ears

and high above the stable roof
a new born star
burst into incandescent life.

Matthew in verse, pt 3

Now when they had departed there, behold
An angel of the Lord appeared in dream
To Joseph, said, “Arise and take the Child
And mother by night, flee to Egypt. There
Remain until I tell you; Herod soon
Is going to search for Him to destroy
Him.” He arose and took the Child by night,
Departed for Egypt and there remained
Until the death of Herod, that what had
Been spoken by the Lord through prophets might
Be yet fulfilled, that “Out of Egypt did
I call my Son.” When Herod saw that by
the Magi he was tricked, he then became
Enraged, and sent and slew the male children
Who were in Bethlehem and all of its
Environs, two years old and younger, that
According to the time which he had heard
From Magi. Then that which was spoken through
The prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled,
“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and
Great Mourning, Rachel weeping, weeping for
Her children; and refusing comfort, for
They were no more.” When Herod died, behold,
An angel of the Lord appeared in dream
to Joseph while in Egypt, said, “Arise
and take the Child and mother and go to
The land of Israel; those who sought His life
are dead.” And so he rose and took the Child
And mother, and came then into the land
Of Israel. But when he heard Archelaus
Was reigning ov’r Judea in place of
His father Herod, he was frightened to
Go there. And being warned in a dream by God,
Departed for the regions Galilee,
And came, resided in the city called
There Nazareth, that what was spoken through
The prophets be fulfilled, “He shall be called
a Nazarene.”

Matthew in verse, pt 2

Now after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem,
Judea, in the days of Herod King,
Behold, the Magi from the east arrived,
In Jerusalem to ask, “Where is He
Who’s born the King of Jews? We saw His star,
And came to worship Him.” When Herod heard,
The king was troubled, and all Jerusalem.
And gathering together the chief priests
And scribes of all the people, he began
Inquiring where Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem, Judah,
For so it has been written by prophets:
“And you, oh Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
Among the leaders of Judah are by
No means the least, for out of you shall come
A ruler who will shepherd my Israel,
My people.” Then Herod secretly called
The Magi, ascertained from them the time
The star appeared, and sent to Bethlehem,
And said, “Go make a careful search, the Child
Go find, and when you found Him report back
To me, that I may come and worship Him.”
And having heard the king, they went their way;
And, lo, the star, which they had seen when east,
Went on before, until it came and stood
O’er where the Child was. And on coming to
The house they saw the Child, and Mary, now
His mother. They fell down and worshipped Him;
And, opening their treasures, gave to Him
Their gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And, warned by God in dream not to return
To Herod, departed another way
for home.