Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Joseph was chosen by God too

we may focus on Mary, the virgin,
the maiden chosen by God
blessed of His favor, to bear the Christ,
visited by Gabriel, God’s named angel
in an immaculate conception
the seed of the Spirit
to grow within her body;
but what of Joseph, her betrothed
hand-picked by the birth father

Joseph was chosen by God too
as surely as his betrothed, as Mary
for he was to raise the Christ
to be the father to God
Emmanuel, God here with us
to teach, to nurture, to love
to show love to God here with us
to care for the child, until he was called
to the river, to the Jordan, to John

hearing the story through his eyes
Joseph’s choice, his grace,
after the visitation
the angel’s amazing words
spoken to him, trust, believe,
staying with Mary, his betrothed,
taking her as his wife
journeying to Bethlehem
to their ancestor David’s ancient home

going, without fanfare, to the stable
to a place set apart, all parties known
an open adoption, assent of the birth father,
in the stable, at His manger bed
at our Savior’s birth, the Messiah come
Joseph accepting Christ,
naming Him Jesus, Jeshua,
the living Son of God,
the Christ, his son in this life


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edited/new December 23, 2014
Joseph was chosen by God too

edited/new December 23, 2014
hand-picked by the birth father
edited December 23, 2014
an open adoption – v4
edited December 17, 2014
an open adoption – v3
(editing original again)
edited December 13, 2014
an open adoption – v2
edited December 12, 2014
I love you Lord Jesus – v2
edited December 12, 2014
a stepfather for Jesus – v2
edited December 12, 2014
I am Joseph of Nazareth – v2
December 12, 2014
I am Joseph of Nazareth
December 12, 2014
pray for me
December 12, 2014
adoption in the stable
December 12, 2014
adoption at the manger
December 12, 2014
an open adoption
December 12, 2014
a stepfather for Jesus
December 12, 2014
a manger on his doorstep
December 12, 2014
the legal father
December 8, 2014
I love you Lord Jesus
edited/ new December 8, 2014
I look at this baby
December 8, 2014
How can I teach Jesus
Matthew 1:18-25
3rd Sunday of Advent
Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”
Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)
Voices of Advent – “I was there…”
dramas by Ross Olson
sermon/message – “Joseph”
(as performed by Raymond A. Foss who, like Joseph,
is an step-father and adoptive  father)
children’s message
– mystery box – 
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Advent wreath lighting
Prayer of Thanksgiving –
by Raymond A. Foss
communion
worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 14, 2014
&
2nd Sunday of Advent
Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”
Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)
Voices of Advent – “I was there…”
dramas by Ross Olson
sermon/message – “Mary”
(as performed by Shyanne Foss,
who, like Mary, is 14 years old)
children’s message
– mystery box –  spool of thread and cloth and needles
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Advent wreath lighting
Prayer of Thanksgiving –
we thank you Lord – v2
by Raymond A. Foss
communion
worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 7, 2014
&
1st Sunday of Advent
Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”
Sacred Dance Introit
Michael W. Smith’s
“Intro and Prepare Ye the Way”
from his New Hallelujah album
Advent wreath lighting
Prayer of Thanksgiving –
by Jeanie Goode
Luke 1:19-20a
children’s message
– mystery box – 
envelope with note
Voices of Advent – “I was there…”
dramas by Ross Olson
sermon/message – “Angel Gabriel”
(as performed by Terry Pettengill)
worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
1st Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2014


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 36,270+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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