I remember when my son was an infant, spending time on a recliner with my boy resting on my chest. As I held his tiny body, I remember spending time praying for him: his life, his health, his future impact on the world, his future spouse, etc. Most parents can relate to these moments. Infants seem simultaneously fragile and invincible; fragile in their physical condition yet invincible in their seemingly unlimited potential. Because of this reality we pray for their today, while hoping for their tomorrow.
In today’s song, Mercy Me’s “Joseph’s Lullaby,” they poetically wonder how Joseph might have felt as he reclined with Jesus on his chest in those infant years. Certainly Joseph knew Jesus was a “special child” — conversations with angels and immaculate conceptions tend to fill in those blanks for you (see Matthew 1:18-25). However, Joseph did not understand everything. After all, Jesus did not have a halo for a hat. He did not glow with glory. As the prophet Isaiah 53:2-3 predicted, “He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”
And so, as Jesus cried that first night from experiencing the cold of this real world, or the hunger pains of an empty stomach, Joseph probably prayed for his son like so many of us have prayed for our children: praying for protection around their fragile bodies, and praying for the power of their future potential.
We don’t know for sure what Joseph prayed for his son . . . but the words of this song don’t seem far-fetched to me: simply the thoughts of a loving earthly father talking to our loving Heavenly Father about their child.
Inspired by this picture, take some time today to pray for someone you love. Pray that God would protect them physically and (through them) bless others spiritually in this life.
Joseph’s Lullaby
Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head
Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Or does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?
Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace
I believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
But Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my child
Go to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You’ll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight
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