Joseph, thou son of David (PDF)
SATB acappella
Matthew 1 : 21-22 (KJV)
Music by M Ryan Taylor

     It is difficult to find Christmas music that focuses on the role of Joseph, Christ’s foster father. That is one of the reasons I chose to set this text, it is a part of the story that is often left out. The other reason is that this it contains one of the first New Testament prophecies concerning Christ, the revelation that Jesus will save his people from their sins. That seems to be what Joseph needed to know at the time. Joseph was perhaps the third convert, after Mary and Martha.

The Text:
. . . Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.