Thoughts about Mary and Joseph

Listening to Christmas songs at church this morning, I found my mind thinking of the teenage Mary and what kind of young woman she must have been. My pastor must have been thinking on along the same lines as he later spoke about Mary in his sermon.

I believe we, who are on the other side of the Reformation, do not give enough thought to the mother of Jesus. We do not want to worship the young mother so we just don't think of her at all, except perhaps at the season of Advent. My thoughts this morning, wondering what kind of a teenager would have the Father's trust to raise His Son. To think of Jesus, coming in the form of a helpless infant...who is this woman? Who is this stepfather of Jesus?

One of my favorite scenes from The Passion of the Christ, is this one where there is playful banter between Mary and Jesus. I think of the love I have for my son, what could have been going through Mary's mind that night He was born? We know she pondered these events in her heart. Think of Joseph, knowing he was to make a living to provide for the Promised One. Who could teach the Son of God?

I have long wondered what the angels thought during that time of the first Advent. Looking down upon this planet, the Son of God growing within one of His own creations. Coming as the helpless infant and depending entirely on the young couple in the stable. The thoughts that go through the mind of mothers of newborn infants...what it must have been like for her?

There are two songs I particularly enjoy this time of year. The first is song absolutely no one can sing better than my daughter (not even the one whose CD I own). The second, not heard as often but the lyrics speak of my own questions...

Breath of Heaven
I have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside,
And I wonder what I've done.
Holy father you have come,
And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now.
Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place,
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.
Help me be.
Help me.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.

Strange Way To Save The World
Sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
'Cause never in a million lives
Would he had dreamed of Bethlehem
And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life
And Joseph said...

[CHORUS]

Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside a stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world

To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth
But Joseph knew the reason
The love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought...