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JOSEPH ’S STORY

Cast

Joseph

Mary

Jesus

Greek Chorus
Hymns from "Singing the Living Tradition" (c) 1993 UUA

“O Come, O Come Emanuel” #225 Congregation

“When Darkness Nears” #50 verses 1 & 4 Full Choir

When darkness nears the embers die

The wind in trees a distant sigh,

The end of day like a lover’s voice nearby.

The end of day, the passing year,

The rush of time need cause no fear,

We’ll love the night and its mystery now so near.

Mary didn’t know how to tell him. It had happened so quickly and unexpectedly that she really didn't understand it herself. It still seemed like a dream. Was it the wine that she drank that made her so numb and oblivious to what was happening or something else? She didn’t know. In fact, she really didn’t remember much at all about the dream, or the night.

What she did know, very definitely now, after she had missed her third, or was it perhaps her fourth period, was that she was indeed pregnant. She was carrying a baby in her womb even though nothing showed.

The morning sickness hadn’t been too bad and the tenderness of her breasts no longer bothered her.

Yet one aspect stood out rather clearly. How could she possibly explain to Joseph that, while she still considered herself a virgin, she was, in fact, "with child?"

“No Longer Forward or Behind” #9 verse 1 Female Only Voices

No longer forward nor behind I look in hope or fear;

But, grateful, take the good I find,

The best of now and here.

I break my pilgrim staff,

I lay aside the toiling oar;

The angel sought so far away

I welcome at my door.

She knew that Joseph was an understanding man but when he had contracted with her father to wed Mary , he was quite clear about the fact that he assumed she was a virgin and that was what he expected. How could she explain it to him? She decided that the only thing that she could do was to tell him the truth. But what was the truth? She wasn't sure herself.

“Every Night and Every Morn” #17 verse 2 Full Choir

Joy and woe are woven fine

Clothing for the soul divine

Under every grief and pine

Runs a joy with silken twine

It is right, it should be so:

We were made for joy and woe

And when this we rightly know

Safely through the world we go.

When Joseph visited her late that evening Mary walked with him along the tree lined lane - lover's lane they called it - and, after a period of time in which they exchanged anecdotes about the happenings since they had last walked, she guided him to a bench where they could talk comfortably and privately.

Mary began by saying, sweetly yet firmly, that there was something about her which Joseph might not be willing to accept in a future bride, and that if he chose to cancel the plans for their upcoming marriage, she would not only understand, but, in fact, think him quite within his rights.

Joseph didn't know what to say. He was caught off guard by this willingness of Mary to have their marriage plans broken. He could not imagine what deep, dark secret Mary was harboring. He had known her for years and no illness or family problem or difficulties with either the Roman government or the Jewish authorities seemed remotely possible.

Joseph had considered himself the luckiest man in the world when first Mary , and then her father, had accepted his proposal. Mary was the most lovely, gentle and loving girl that he had ever known. If it were possible for any human being to be perfect, Mary was certainly the most likely candidate. Yet now she was about to tell him of a flaw so enormous that it jeopardized their wedding plans.

It must be something quite minor which she is exaggerating out of all proportions, he concluded. "Let's hold the question of changing our plans aside until I know what is bothering you, Mary ”, he told her gently. He saw in her face a combination of sorrow mixed with joy. How that combination was possible he didn't know, but there it was all over her beautiful face and body like an ethereal glow.

“Dear Weaver of our Lifes’ Design” #22 verses 1 & 2 Full Choir

Dear weaver of our life's design whose patterns all obey,

With skillful fingers gently guide the sturdy threads

that will survive the tangle of our days.

Take up the fabric of our lives with hands that gently hold.

Bind in the ragged edge that care would sunder and that pain would tear,

And mend our raveling souls.

Mary began again: "Joseph, as I have told you before, I must tell you again, for you will likely not believe me later, but I have always been and still am quite a virgin. I have lain with no man and only you have I allowed certain liberties and intimacies. You must believe that, Joseph ."

"I do, my love," he assured her.

"A short while ago," she continued, "an angel came to me in a dream and, though I don't know how . . . how should I say it? The Spirit of the Lord has made me with child. It has made me to be, Joseph , though still a virgin, pregnant.”

Joseph stood mute. He could have understood Mary 's having been raped. He could have, though angered, understood a seduction but this was completely unintelligible. Mary 's lips were moving and words were coming out which formed proper sentences, but the ideas were so alien that his brain seemed only to absorb random, nonsensical sounds.

The God of Abraham and Jacob and Joseph had, of course, performed miracles in the ancient past. He had freed the Jews from bondage in Egypt ; he had enabled Sarah to bear Isaac ; he had sent the flood; but nowhere had Joseph heard of anything like this, and especially today. All of those other miracles happened long ago. If God was still up there at all (and Joseph believed that he was, though many were no longer sure), if God took an active part in the affairs of' the Jews, it was only by allowing Jews to do things which they otherwise might not have been able to do. He might give strength to Samson , wisdom to Solomon , and prophecy to Isaiah, but in this way he worked through people today, not directly as in ancient times. Yet, here was Mary saying that God had directly intervened.

“Words That Hold Tight” #179 verses 1 & 3 Male Voices Only

Words that we hold tight won’t let us go,

Paths we don’t follow will haunt us.

What will undo us is not our friend.

Show us, O spirit, how to be friend.

Show us how to forgive.

To all who live, show us forgiveness

That we may live.

To speak of loving is not to love.

Lies move among us, below, above.

When we are raging, needing to mend,

Show us, O spirit, how to be friend.

Show us how to forgive.

To all who live, show us forgiveness

That we may live.

After only a minute, which seemed like an hour, Joseph concluded that although Mary was probably not lying, she was somehow not presenting the facts accurately. He had heard about false pregnancies, on the one hand, and about gentle rapists who might perform their seduction on a woman so intoxicated that she would not remember anything the next day. Perhaps there was some such explanation, Joseph thought.

“Since What We Choose Is What We Are” #374 verse 1 Full Choir

Since what we choose is what we are,

And what we love we yet shall be,

The goal may ever shine afar

The will to win it makes us free.

He did feel deep in his heart that Mary believed that what she was saying was true. For that reason, Joseph , though shaken, was less angry and upset at what Mary had told him. He put an arm around her and comforted her.

"If you still wish to marry me, Mary , be assured that I have not been moved by this announcement of yours to reconsider my proposal. But, if you are indeed pregnant, I suggest that we move the date forward and be married as quickly as possible so that the gossips will have less to remark on."

Mary was now moved to tears. Here, indeed, was a man upon whom she could depend and trust. As she cried on his shoulder, Mary and Joseph talked about asking Mary 's father to make the wedding arrangements as soon as possible. At home, Mary 's father understood the young lovers wanting to hurry the date and agreed to set the date as soon as a priest could be available. So, they were married the next week.

“Love Makes A Bridge” #325 verses 4 & 5 Full Choir

Love rings the bells of wanted birth and wedding day.

Love guides the hands that promise more that words can say.

Love makes a bridge that winds may shake, yet not destroy.

Love carries faith through life and death, to endless joy.

The road to Bethlehem to be present for the census tax, was long and difficult. Mary was often uncomfortable and weary traveling over the bumpy and dusty road, perched on a donkey, while Joseph walked alongside. It was only after they had arrived in Bethlehem , however, that Joseph realized that what Mary had said that night on the bench would have important implications.

“Whence, O, Shepherd Maiden ” #258 verse 1 Full Choir

(Male Voices Only)

Whence, O, shepherd maiden, whence came you?

(Female Voices Only)

I come from the manger, walking on my way,

Nothing ever stranger seen within my day.

(Male Voices Only)

What saw you there, maiden, what saw you?

(Female Voices Only)

I saw lying cradled there a tiny child,

In new straw huddled, softly it was piled.

Offeratory – Let us now, while we sing Hymn #259 “We Three Kings”, make an offering in support of the important work of the congrgation’s mission of providing a liberal religious voice in the community.

“We Three Kings” #259 Congregation

Joseph could neither rationally nor emotionally handle the situation at this point. He found an empty corner of the stable and there he sat just observing the scene before him with unbelieving eyes. The distancing of Joseph from both the child and from Mary began on what we now celebrate as Christmas morn. The Oriental kings could not be discounted even if the shepherds could have shown up just to rejoice in the birth of a healthy beautiful child. While everyone else received a gift, from the gold and frankincense and myrrh of the wise men, to the gift of a newborn king for the entire world, Joseph didn’t know what gift he had received.

“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear” #244 Congregation

“Silent Night, Holy Night” #251 Congregation

It was clear now that not only the baby, whom they had named Jesus - the newborn infant - but also Mary, his mother, belonged to God and to humanity. They would not his in any way, He was merely a caretaker and they a responsibility. He lost a wife that he had sensed he never really had even before the marriage, and a child who was obviously not his. He felt abandoned in the stormy sea of jubilation all around him. Joseph took joy from the birth, yet, still sadness and loneliness greeted him this Christmas morn.

Joseph could not just walk away. In marrying Mary , he had agreed to be responsible for her and for the coming child. And, he still loved Mary . She was no less the perfect human being than ever. His love for Mary even increased as he watched her care for the helpless infant and at the same time greet strangers with the ease and warmth of a loving friend. He marveled at her dignity and her gentleness and warmth and glow, and at her concern for everyone who visited. She made no distinction between king and lowly shepherd, all were greeted equally with loving warmth and kindness,

Joseph concluded that it must be a lack in him which prevented him from being the center of Mary ’s life. He resolved that Christmas morning to make himself into the kind of man that Mary could cherish.

“Now I Recall My Childhood” #191 verse 2 Male Voices Only

Then looking on the world with simple joy,

On insects, birds, and beasts, and common weeds,

The grass and clouds had fullest wealth of awe,

My Mary ’s voice gave meaning to the stars.

Joseph decided that he could begin that day by being a loving father to Jesus and good provider for Mary . He stood up, dusted himself off and with his natural shyness greeted the visitors with all of the enthusiasm that he could muster. Later, in the afternoon, he found some wood and set about building a beautiful cradle for the infant Jesus and with the leftover scraps he carved and constructed toys to amuse the newborn child,

Thus began a pattern of giving and providing for Mary and Jesus which was to continue for many years.

In only a few years, the family increased and Joseph and Mary had other children. These were Joseph ’s natural children and Joseph took pride and joy them. But the first born, Jesus , was special. Jesus was special to all the neighbors as well as to Mary - from the moment of his birth. It wasn't that he did anything unusual; it was just that he was something special.

Mary continued to shower love and warmth on the world but seemed to make no special place in her life for Joseph . Everyone but Jesus was treated equally warmly and Joseph participated in this. But only Jesus really held a special place for Mary .

Joseph tried to be a good father, but he couldn’t help feeling a sense of resentment toward Jesus . He loved him, how could he not; and yet he was jealous of him at the same time.

When Jesus was not yet Bar Mitzvahed, the family journeyed to Jerusalem . Jesus got lost from the group.

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When he was found, answered in response to the inquiry of his whereabouts that he had spent the day the house of his father. Joseph was at first confused by this explanation. Had there, in fact, been another man whom Mary had known before the marriage? Then he realized that Jesus was talking about the Temple and that he considered his father to be God.

The hurt and grief and distance that had built came pouring out. He walked and he walked, lost in his feelings of numbness and despair. If he wasn't Jesus ' father and if he wasn't Mary husband, who was he? What was it all about? Why was he working from dawn to nightfall six days and then spending all Sabbath in the temple? What was life all about anyway?

No answer came. No revelation appeared to guide him. His despair turned to depression. His grief turned to anger at himself, at Jesus , at Mary . He could not go home. He spent some time at a tavern and finally found place to lie down where he slept fitfully.

“It Is Something To Have Wept" #5 verses 1&4 Full Choir

It is something to have wept as we have wept,

And something to have done as we have done.

It is something to have watched when all have slept

And seen the stars which never see the sun.

Lo, and blessed are our ears for they have heard;

Yea, blessed are our eyes for they have seen;

Let the thunder break on human, beast, and bird,

And lightening, It is something to have been.

The next morning the sun rose brightly and the wind blew gently through the trees and had a sweet, warm feel to it. The anguish of the night before was gone. But it was replaced by a sense of emptiness, of being lost. He breathed in the air deeply and it felt good but he wondered where he was going.

His legs automatically found their way to his carpentry shop. He walked in and picked up a saw and a hammer. He began hammering. Before he knew it, he was caught up in projects and forgot about the night before.

That night, at supper, he greeted Mary and Jesus and the other children warmly and explained his absence by saying that he had spent the night with friends and couldn't make it home.

His explanation was accepted with only a raised eyebrow from Mary and a tender, knowing smile from Jesus . The younger children were too busy playing to pay much attention at all.

Now again, however, Joseph felt empty. As he made his way through the evening and later curled up with Mary he realized that he would have to begin building more than tables and carts. He would have to begin building a life for himself as a separate human being and not depend on Mary and Jesus for his identity.

It was a struggle that was to take the rest of his life, but a small step had been taken. At least now, he realized that he would have to make his own way in the world.

Some months later, when Jesus participated in the Bar Mitzvah custom and was declared "a man ", Joseph looked on with interest and wonder. He felt that he had just recently become a man, well past the age of 13. If Jesus truly had become a man this Sabbath morn, Joseph told himself, it would indeed be precocious.

The struggles which Joseph endured in the next couple of decades were many and often traumatic. He contemplated at one point giving up his carpentry and joining the Essenes. At another time, he thought about becoming active with the Zealot Freedom Fighters who sought to rid the country of the Roman oppression.

“Soon The Day Will Arrive” #146 verse 1 Full Choir

Soon the day will arrive when we will be together,

And no longer will we live in fear.

And the children will smile without wondering

Whether on that day thunder clouds will appear.

Wait and see, wait and see what a world there can be

If we share, if we care, you and me

Wait and see, wait and see what a world there can be

If we share, if we care, you and me.

Joseph marveled at the following which Jesus drew to himself, yet, he played no part in Jesus ' ministry, for he now recognized that Jesus , like himself, was his own separate person and had to discover himself for himself.

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Joseph was not a follower of Jesus ' ministry, only a warm supporter of Jesus ' journey to find himself. When he heard some of his own ideas paraphrased, enlarged upon, and made more poetic in Jesus ' sermons, he took pride in the fact that he had indeed contributed to Jesus ' growth.

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Joseph began spending, not so much more time, but more energy in