“To have and to hold from this day forward.” These words ring forth in my ears. Words one would typically hear at a wedding ceremony. But today these words ring so differently. My eyes land upon the statue of St Joseph holding baby Jesus in his loving embrace.

“To have and to hold from this day forward.”

Baby Jesus. Safe. Held and protected in His father’s arms. What were you thinking, Joseph, as you gaze upon your Son? You were there in the Temple for the purification ceremony and heard the words spoken to Mary about your Son:

“And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice.” (Luke 2:22-23)

That day Simeon, a righteous and devout man, was led to the Temple by the Holy Spirt. He took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and he spoke words that made you, Joseph, and Mary marvel at what was being said about him, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (v32).

However Simeon did not end there. You, too, heard the words Simeon spoke as he turned towards Mary saying, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, (and a sword will pierce through your own soul as well), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (v34-35).

Joseph, as you look now upon Jesus in your arms, what words come to your mind? Are you considering the words spoken over Jesus by Simeon? Words that stirred within your spirit. Were you aware of what he actually meant? Was Simeon? Did this ever get discussed between you and Mary; or were you, like Mary, left to ponder these things in your heart?

Jesus wiggles in your embrace. The movement. His warmth calling you back to the now. How quickly we also find ourselves—our own thoughts—pulling us into the future. Yet, Jesus, just as Your movement in Joseph’s arms called him back to the now, so, too, You call each of us to remain in the present.

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34)

Help us to be as Jesus in the arms of His Father calling us back.