His sociological identificational parade from Nazareth to Bethlehem
Little Lord Jesus Infant King, You knew that Father offered the next best to heaven - Mother’s womb - sanctity of womb life.
Jesus in Mary’s womb - was conceived in Nazareth despised by fellow Galileans. He knew contempt, suspicion, put down, innuendos even from His Mother’s womb.
Jesus in Mary’s womb - passed thru Nain helping widow and orphan, healing lepers
Jesus in Mary’s womb - passed thru Samaria - alienated, perhaps stopping at ancestor Jacob’s well to quench their thirst, where He would meet Samaritan woman - outcast.
Jesus in Mary’s womb - passed thru Jericho – centre of corruption and power – again on His way to crucifixion and He will meet Zacchaeus
Joseph - Menial work to make others to shine
Joseph became the team member who got the most difficult parts of Project Immanuel. His call was, “Do whatever needs be for the King to be born.” Shift the straw. Clean up the dung. Wash the food trough. Find the bandages. There went Joseph’s best robe. Be a midwife for one night with no training. One moment great elation that three kings came to worship the babe and in the next, great danger that Herod will kill – fleeing in the night
Joseph understands that on his toil the gifts of others shine. In the fellow-ship of HMS Apeksha, Joseph is on lower deck pulling the oars (work of Galley slaves). Singers are high on the sails for all to see. Others reach down and save the sinking, taking them into lifeboats. Yet others man the guns to keep the enemy at bay.
Some read maps and keep the ship on course. In fact the whole profession is called sailors though Joy-serfs are indispensable. Josephs are Joy-serfs who toil for others to shine. Their joy is another’s trophy. Trainers, coaches, teachers all have the ministry of Joseph.
Joseph demonstrates the ministry of the shepherd. Shepherd has to lead and follow and be on a side when there is danger that sheep may fall off the ledge. Shepherd leads until he gets them to new pastures. He follows them when sheep have to move thru known
Midnight Friend – Joseph
Anyone can have a dark night of the soul. So you need a midnight friend. Even if you are out of contact for some time, he is there for you. She will not judge you but help you. Even when you get a friend calling on your door at midnight for needy bread (physical bread, counsel, comfort, shelter, asylum), you can refer for help from your Midnight Friend.
Everyone flips, at an inconvenient hour. So be merciful. We need a midnight friend and please be one yourself. When people look blackest, MF will arise with the silver streak anointing an angel dispatched to avert crisis, stop suicide. Let’s commit ourselves to be a midnight friend like Joseph.
Saviour makes all things beautiful – in His time.
Don’t despair about the dirt in your life. A dirty Stable was beatified by a “Baby Born.” Never was a battle so uneven – Baby Born in a Dirty Stable, far away from Home. He fought the dung and Tetanus bacilli – overcame both. Joseph never trained in midwifery. Mary in the cold – among the compassionate beasts, when man had no room for the Infant Creator.
Paradox of Nativity. Shepherds were considered the lowest of jobs. Unscrupulous shepherds bring glad tidings to besieged young parents – Don’t worry, though Born ignoble – He is the “Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning”.
Myrrh from Mountains and gold from Magi followed – supplementing dwindling resources. Murderous Herod fails – Pro Life God schemes to defeat predators, marauders, tyrants – then and now. Bethlehem has lived for 2000 years BC and now 2021 years AD. Tyranny will not triumph. Might is not right. Race is not to the swift, Poor will arise from dung heap – says Bethlehem.