Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ~ Isaiah 7:14
Christmas Song Lyrics Compiled by Charles P. Scott
When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
Lyrics
When Joseph went to Bethlehem
I think he took great care
To place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there.
He urged the donkey forward,
Then, with Mary on its back,
And carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack.
I think there at the busy inn
That he was meek and milk
And awed to be the guardian of Mary's sacred Child.
Perhaps all through the chilly hours
He smoothed the swaddling bands,
And Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph's gentle hands.
And close beside the manger bed,
He dimmed the lantern's light,
And held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.
About This Song
This is a very unique Christmas song since it’s one of the few that focuses on Joseph. This song depicts the birth of Christ from Joseph’s perspective – from traveling to Bethlehem, to the birth of Christ, and finally to Joseph holding the baby Jesus in his arms.
Apart from God, Joseph was the rock for Mary to rely on while everything was getting more and more hectic around her. He was the one that reassured her everything would be OK when they had to travel to Bethlehem when she was so close to giving birth. He was the one that told her it would be alright when there was no room at the inn. And he was the one who comforted her when she realized that she was going to give birth in a stable. I’m sure that was frightening for Mary.
