JOSEPH OF GALILEE

Again and for many more days, we will experience Psalm 124:  "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." We should be well "versed" in Psalm 124's first line and may even have memorized it before Christmas!  It's a very good verse to know and to believe.


Now, what about Joseph?  The village of Galilee knew Joseph to be unmarried and a fine, but poor carpenter working in his father's shop and living with his parents and their small children. Yet, he was a strong and special man to a young girl named Mary.  He was not a "bad catch" as far as Mary was concerned, as he had paid attention to her even when she was a small child.  Her own brother was ill, and not available for play, and Joseph was a natural big brother having that role in his own home. Besides, he liked Mary and noticed her more and more as she grew up.


He was tall and strong and the villagers saw how good he was.  But they questioned, "Is he good enough for Mary?  Or rather, is he good enough for Hannah, Mary's mother...the strongest  woman in the village?


But, Joseph loved Mary and had loved her for a long time.  He would do anything for her, even go before her mother and father with as much dignity and hope  he could carry, if he ever would be asked to go before them!


Mary had managed to coerce her father, Joachim, into inviting Joseph for dinner.  Her father faced Joseph at the carpentry shop and asked him for dinner, somewhat uncomfortable should Joseph accept, worrying about what Hannah would say and what he could find for a dinner entre that would be good enough for Hannah's pride to be satisfied.


The two men met at the doorway of the carpentry shop, both showing a bit of surprise as the invitation was given and accepted. As they faced each other, Joseph, knowing he was being examined thoroughly, gave a small, weak smile.  His fair, passionate face had a steadfast look about it and his eyes, an uncomplicated gray, returned Joachim's look without flinching.  He had a look of gentleness yet his body was hard and strong.


As the invitation was gladly accepted, and Joachim was leaving, Joseph was amazed at what had occurred.  Would he be given a chance with Mary's family? His heart was in his throat and as he watched his visitor go up the hill,  he braced himself in the doorway. "Did this really happen?" he asked, aloud.  He felt the whole experience to be unreal. But, it was real, and he thought, "It's almost as if Jehovah, the God of all, had stepped down from his throne and affirmed me with Mary's love."


(Again, thanks to Marjorie Holmes, the author of TWO FROM GALILEE.  I have tried not to copy her word for word in these scenes from her book, but must admit her words are often better than mine. I am in no way attempting to usurp her story, but I have borrowed its theme in order to help others understand this amazing relationship.  Thank you, Ms. Holmes!  I hope in the days remaining of this story those reading this will check out both  the Bible and  Ms. Holmes' book.)


And, my friends, I hope you are enjoying these pre-Christmas days!


Jo INMN