Joseph
According to Matthew, Joseph was a carpenter. He is referred to in the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. His importance there is to establish Jesus as David’s descendant. Matthew and Luke also present Joseph as a just man, a devout and loyal Jew, who attends to the Jewish legal and religious obligations surrounding the birth of Jesus and offers care and protection to the child and his mother. FATS
Antiphon1
Ant. The righteous man shall flourish like the palm tree;
he shall grow up like a cedar of Lebanon.
V. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, *
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your loving mercy in the morning, *
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute, *
with the sound of song on the harp. Psalm 92
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
HYMN: Thomas H Troeger ©
Tune: Resignation https://tinyurl.com/uhhcwx6p
1 The hands that first held Mary’s child
Were hard from working wood,
From boards they sawed and planed and filed
And splinters they withstood.
This day they gripped no tool of steel,
They drove no iron nail,
But cradled from the head to heel
Our Lord, newborn and frail.
2 When Joseph marveled at the size
Of that small breathing frame,
And gazed upon those bright new eyes
And spoke the infant’s name,
The angel’s words he once had dreamed
Poured down from heaven’s height,
And like the host of stars that beamed
Blessed earth with welcome light.
3 “This child shall be Emmanuel,
Not God upon the throne,
But God with us, Emmanuel,
As close as blood and bone.”
The tiny form in Joseph’s palms
Confirmed what he had heard,
And from his heart rose hymns and psalms
For heaven’s human word.
4 The tools which Joseph laid aside
A mob would later lift
And use with anger, fear, and pride
To crucify God’s gift.
Let us, O Lord, not only hold
The Child who’s born today,
But charged with faith may we be bold
To follow in his way.
PSALMS
Psalm 95 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yx5ywz8t)
1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are all the corners of the earth *
and the strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship and fall down *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is the Lord our God *
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
8 To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness;
9 When your fathers tempted me *
proved me, and saw my works.
10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said *
It is a people that do err in their hearts,
for they have not known my ways;
11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 95 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-95.mp3)
1 Come, let us sing to the LORD; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8 Harden not your hearts,
as your forebears did in the wilderness, *
at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,
when they tempted me.
9 They put me to the test, *
though they had seen my works.
10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *
“This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways.”
11 So I swore in my wrath, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Psalm 96 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/u9ylore)
1 O sing unto the Lord a new song *
sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2 Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name *
be telling of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his honour unto the heathen *
and his wonders unto all people.
4 For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols *
but it is the Lord that made the heavens.
6 Glory and worship are before him *
power and honour are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people *
ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.
8 Ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name *
bring presents, and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness *
let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
10 Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King *
and that it is he who hath made the round world
so fast that it cannot be moved;
and how that he shall judge the people righteously.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad *
let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it *
then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
13 For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth *
and with righteousness to judge the world,
and the people with his truth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 96 (LSB Tone K: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-96-LSB.mp3)
1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song;*
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;*
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,*
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;*
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,*
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;*
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,*
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;*
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;*
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;*
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;*
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD, for he comes,*
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,*
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Psalm 97 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qm79zby)
1 The Lord is King, the earth may be glad thereof *
yea, the multitude of the isles may be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him *
righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his seat.
3 There shall go a fire before him *
and burn up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings gave shine unto the world *
the earth saw it, and was afraid.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens have declared his righteousness *
and all the people have seen his glory.
7 Confounded be all they that worship carved images,
and that delight in vain gods *
worship him, all ye gods.
8 Sion heard of it, and rejoiced *
and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of thy judgements, O Lord.
9 For thou, Lord, art higher than all that are in the earth *
thou art exalted far above all gods.
10 O ye that love the Lord, see that ye hate the thing which is evil *
the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints;
he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.
11 There is sprung up a light for the righteous *
and joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous *
and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 97 (LSB Tone H: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-97-LSB.mp3)
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;*
let the many coast lands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;*
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him*
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;*
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,*
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,*
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;*
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,*
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;*
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!*
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,*
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,*
and give thanks to his holy name!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
PRAYER
O God,
you clothe the sky with light, and ocean depths with darkness.
You work your mighty wonders among us.
Claim us for your purposes,
that we may be among those who see your glory and give you praise,
for you live and reign, now and forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Genesis 43:16-34
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, ‘Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.’ The man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. Now the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, ‘It is because of the money, replaced in our sacks the first time, that we have been brought in, so that he may have an opportunity to fall upon us, to make slaves of us and take our donkeys.’ So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the entrance to the house. They said, ‘Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food; and when we came to the lodging-place we opened our sacks, and there was each one’s money in the top of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it back with us. Moreover, we have brought down with us additional money to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.’ He replied, ‘Rest assured, do not be afraid; your God and the God of your father must have put treasure in your sacks for you; I received your money.’ Then he brought Simeon out to them. When the steward had brought the men into Joseph’s house, and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they had heard that they would dine there.
When Joseph came home, they brought him the present that they had carried into the house, and bowed to the ground before him. He inquired about their welfare, and said, ‘Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?’ They said, ‘Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.’ And they bowed their heads and did obeisance. Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, ‘Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!’ With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, ‘Serve the meal.’ They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. When they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.
HYMN: Psalm 100; para. Michael Morgan ©
Tune: Genevan 100 https://tinyurl.com/v6pj7cbr
1 Let every voice on earth resound,
and joyful hearts hold God adored;
in gladness may God’s courts abound
with songs of praise unto the Lord.
2 You are the Lord; by whose design
all we in nature claim our place;
your flock, we bind our lives to you,
and rest secure beneath your grace.
3 Before the Lord bring thanks and praise,
unfathomed mercies wait in store;
God’s goodness blesses all our days,
God’s truth endures forevermore!
Reading: Romans 6:12-23
Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
HYMN: John Ernest Bode
Tune: Wolvercote https://tinyurl.com/2p8wkrpp
1 O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou forever near me,
My Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.
2 O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near:
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
3 O let me hear thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will.
O speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul.
4 O Jesus, thou hast promised
To all who follow thee
That where thou art in glory
There shall thy servant be.
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my friend.
Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
CANTICLE Te Deum
(Setting: https://tinyurl.com/y86fwpph)
You are God we praise you,
You are Lord we thank you,
All creation worships you,
Father, ancient of days.
To You all the angels,
All the powers of heaven;
Cherubim and Seraphim,
Sing in endless praise:
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Your servants the apostles
Honor you and praise you.
The fellowship of prophets
Your greatness glorifies.
The army of the martyrs
Robed in white adores you.
Throughout the world
Your holy church
Proclaims you to the skies!
Father, glorious, infinite in majesty.
Son, victorious
Spirit, comfort and guide.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Christ, Son of the Father,
King of endless glory
You came among us lowly,
Birth of Mary ‘s womb.
You robbed death of its power,
You opened heaven’s treasure
Now you sit at God’s right hand,
Soon to be our judge
Come Lord Jesus,
Come to help Your people.
Those for whom You shed Your blood
To whom you gave new birth,
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
You are holy, holy, powerful and mighty!
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
Your glory fills the heavens,
Your splendor fills the earth.
THE PRAYERS Universalis, alt.
Whatever we do or say, let us do it in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father. Lord, hear us.
As Joseph believed what you had told him, and became the guardian of your only Son: so may we put our faith in you, and receive the fulfilment of your promise. Lord, hear us.
Father, give us that faith which gives substance to our hopes, and make us certain of realities we do not see. Lord, hear us.
Joseph took the child Jesus into his care, loving and accepting him as his own Son: may we accept all that God gives us, and care for those entrusted to us. Lord, hear us.
You have given humankind authority over the work of your hands and invited us to share in your creation: help us to accept our responsibility by working for your glory and the good of all. Lord, hear us.
(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Lord of dreams,
you take us off the straight and narrow
and open a new future,
a relationship of grace:
give us the courage of Joseph
to bear his world’s disdain
and keep faith with the gift of life;
through Jesus Christ, God with us. Amen. PIC
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
Universalis https://universalis.com/20210319/lauds.htm
FATS For All the Saints, © The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 2014
The three main scripture readings are from the The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Edition, The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 95 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 96 and 97 are from Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2022 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
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