INTRO: This poem is about the events that followed the visit of the Wise Men, or Magi, to Joseph, Mary and the child King, Jesus. You can read the story in Matthew chapter 2 verses 13 to 23. The ruler of that region, King Herod, who was known to murder anyone he thought was a threat to his reign as king, was furious that the Magi did not report back to him with the whereabouts of Jesus. So, he orders all infants 2 years of age and younger to be killed in the vicinity of the city of Bethlehem.
This story gives us a glimpse into the early life of Jesus’ childhood. The lyrics of the song by Clay Aiken titled Mary, Did You Know, tell the story of the many loving and gracious miracles and wonders that Jesus would grow up to perform during his 3 years of ministry on this earth. I love a scene, in the Youtube video to this song, that I have linked in this poem on my website, showing a young Jesus watching his earthly father, Joseph work at his carpentry, the profession that Jesus would work in once He was old enough. Beverley Joy
AUDIO – Quick, Save The Saviour
An angel of God spoke to Joseph in a dream
“Get up! Take the Child and His mother, quick!”
“Go to Egypt and live there until it’s safe
For the angry king will search to kill the Child.”
So, Joseph obeyed God’s angel
With Mary and Jesus, he fled the town
They travelled a six-day journey
And lived in Egypt in safety.
This fulfilled a prophecy of God
Told seven hundred years before
Recorded in the Old Testament
“Out of Egypt, I called My Son.”
When the angry king died, an angel of God
Spoke again to Joseph in a dream
“Go back east now, to your hometown.”
For it is safe to live there now.
Joseph was afraid for Mary and the child
When they approached their hometown,
For the son of the angry king now reigned
And he was more evil than his father.
God told Joseph in a dream
“Go to another town to live”
So, they went to the small town of Nazareth
Where he and Mary had been engaged.
This fulfilled another prophecy
Told back seven hundred years
Recorded in the Old Testament
“He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Jesus the child king was raised
Quietly, in their small hometown
Without a crown, castle, or royal robes
With no royal parade or entourage.
He would grow up with his siblings,
Obedient to God, Mary, and Joseph
Learning his earthly father’s trade
Learning his heavenly father’s way.
He supported his family with his trade
After his father passed away
His royal hands splintered from carpentry
While serving his family by earning a living.
Beverley Joy © 2019 of Simply Story Poetry. all Rights Reserved.
You can listen to or read the Christmas stories Parts 1-7 which include: The Christmas Story Part 1, Four Unusual Women Part 2, 700BC Part 3, Mary Part 4 and Mary and Elizabeth Part 5, Joseph Part 6 and The Saviour is Born Part 7.
You can listen to all my poems on several podcast platforms here
Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash
Simply Story Poetry 
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