New Hymn for Joseph, Father of Jesus

St Joseph with the Infant Jesus (c. 1635)

Looking for a hymn that tells the Advent/Christmas story from Joseph's viewpoint? Here's a hymn-text I wrote today for use at Edenton Street UMC this coming Sunday. I have a JPG file with the music and words together if you'd like to use that. Kindly include copyright notice: © 2011, Nancy Gerst. Used by permission.

 

HUMBLE JOSEPH, CARPENTER IN NAZARETH

Tune:   Once in Royal David’s City

Humble Joseph, carpenter in Naz’reth,

son of Adam, kin of Abraham.

Called by God to serve as Jesus’ father,

Not by blood, but Son born of faith.

Mary, he both loved and wed,

Stayed with her when tears were shed.

Abraham was his role and model,

Whose faith shone when plans went awry.

Like him, Joseph stood firm and faithful

Even when the doubts multiplied.

Mary’s son he did embrace,

Looked to God—and saw Him face to face.

May we too believe in the darkness

When our lives are torn, wearing thin.

May we trust the God who dearly loves us

See faith grow where doubt has been.

And behold the distant promise,

And receive the grace that is boundless.

Artwork by Guido Reni, at the Hermitage, in St. Petersburg. Oil on canvas, 126 x 101 cm. Postcript:  Rev. Ned Hill gave a wonderful sermon on Joseph on 12/4/11. It had been at his comment that there aren't many hymns about Joseph that I was inspired to write the above text. You can hear this sermon here:  Swallowing the Story