Story Behind The Song

For my Christmas album, "From Here to Nativity", I wanted to explore many aspects of the season. It occurred to me that there weren't any prominent songs about Joseph, even as there are a lot of songs for Mary. So I put myself in his shoes. I was honored to work with Stephan Oberhoff on this track.

Song Description

Hauntingly beautiful strings by Stephan Oberhoff set the stage for this song in which Joseph stands in awe, wonder, and a bit of fear in an earnest prayer to God for guidance and help in raising the Messiah. The song is deeply personal and pleading. The baritone vocal is just right for conveying the emotions Joseph must have felt. A song which explores fatherhood and our relationship to God as a father.

Lyrics

Joseph's Prayer (J. Schaefer)
One day it occurred to me that I didn't know of any songs for Joseph. I put myself in his shoes.

Father, you sent your son into the world
You chose the woman I love to bring him here
All this has come about so fast
Help me allay the shock and fear
Teach me the role that I must play
Set a clear path, don't let me stray
Work through me to guide him here on this earth

Father, you sent an angel to Mary
And you sent an angel to me
Clearing our minds
and opening our hearts to what will be
keep them around us day by day
Comforting, showing us the way
Keep them close
Please let them stay

Father, you sent a star to the wise men
Is there a star out there for me?
A light to shine when our world starts to darken
A light to shine for us three
for we also are three
So many twinkling in the night
help us discern which one is right
be our star, light our way
be our star, dear Lord, I pray

Father, you sent us far from our homeland
just when we'd most want to stay
not sure of just where to go
he lies now in hay
my son
your son
our son

© 2016 Johnny Schaefer, Auditory Verve Music, ASCAP