Joseph

The Rev. Joy MacCormick

21 December 2017

Joseph

She came as if reluctantly
a question burning in her eyes,
and told a tale - such a tale
as both filled and pierced my heart.

Could I believe her?
Could I believe
that of all women she was chosen
to bear the Lord’s Messiah?
Dare I trust her protestation
that no man had fathered
the child she carries?

Darkness, disillusionment, despair,
vision of our future crumbled into dust!
I needed time to think, to pray,
to let the numbness pass;
process the implications.

She said she understood;
would wait for my response –
however long it took,
whatever it might be.

And then that dream!
So vivid, urgent, powerful,
there was no room for doubt.
Like her I heard the voice of God.
Like her I knew the awesome truth
that both of us were chosen.

… Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream … 
(Matthew 1:19-20 ff)

How have you recognised God’s guidance in times of turmoil and distress? Do you believe God speaks today through dreams? Why or why not?

What if Joseph had ignored his dream?

(c) Joy MacCormick

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