Among other things, this is the season of Christmas carols. And one of my favourites is a relatively unknown piece entitled “The Cherry Tree Carol.” Unlike most others, it focuses on the story of Joseph.
But it portrays a rather different picture of Joseph from the one we’ve often seen in our creches and Sunday School pageants, where Joseph stands quietly and steadfastly beside Mary at the manger. While Luke’s gospel tells us that he was indeed present at Jesus’ birth, Matthew’s version focuses on Joseph’s initial response to Mary’s news that she was pregnant. He was far from happy, and The Cherry Tree Carol powerfully describes Joseph’s reaction as follows:
Joseph and Mary walked through an ancient wood,
Where was cherries and berries, so red as any blood.
O then bespoke Mary, so meek and oh, so mild:
‘Pluck me one cherry Joseph, for I am with child.’
O then bespoke Joseph, with words most unkind:
‘Let him pluck thee a cherry that brought thee with child.’
The story continues from there, and the beautiful carol is definitely worth a listen. But the emotions it describes are consistent with what we find in Matthew’s gospel. So on Sunday we’ll focus on Joseph’s important and fascinating story. In particular, we’ll reflect on how he overcame his initial sense of betrayal, to take on challenges he wasn’t entirely sure he could meet, and to allow love rather than judgment to have the last word. The story of Joseph is a powerful one, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning at 10:30.
Click on the link below: The Cherry Tree Carol by Gwyneth Walker
performed by Cantores Celestes Maritimes
stmarksunited.ca 