I had to leave this scene on the cutting floor. But I can share it with you here.
Read the rest of Joseph's story (and Mary's, Elizabeth's, the shepherd's, Simeon's, and more) in Our Stories: Hope's Arrival.
Please note: Since this scene was cut early in the process, it has not been edited.
I stood with my arm protectively around my little sister’s shoulder as they rolled the stone across the tomb, sealing our dad’s body in with our ancestors. As it thumped in place, I snapped up straight, looking at my family. They are my responsibility now. I won’t let them down.
It didn’t matter that I was only twelve years old, that I had only worked six months in Dad’s forge, or that I would never finish my apprenticeship. I couldn’t help any of that. I had a mom and three sisters to support, and I would do it as well as any man.
The barley was ripe in the fields and the next morning, I was the first one in the day laborer line. And the last one hired. But the next morning, and each morning after, the foreman hired me first thing.
When his field was finished, I asked him to help me select harvesters for our fields. He not only helped me but taught me how to manage the process. Dad had set the money aside for the workers, so at least I didn’t need to worry about that.
All through the summer, I worked from sunup to sundown six days a week. When we travelled to Jerusalem for Sukkoth that year, I found it hard to play with the other boys. I couldn’t relate to their games and stories. Instead, I spent the week running errands for the travelers in exchange for a few copper coins.
At the end of the week, Mom drew me aside with her cousin, Heli. As I looked up at him, my mind raced back over the week, trying to figure out what I had done that would require his help to correct me.
He smiled at me. “I’ve watched you this week and I’m impressed by the way you never stop working, and you put your whole heart into everything you do. I have five daughters – no sons. I need someone to help me in my stone mason shop and inherit it when I am gathered to my fathers. Here is my proposal. You will come to Nazareth to work with me. You will apprentice with me for seven years. At the end of that time, my youngest daughter, Mary, will be of marriage age. I will count your time served as your bride price.”
“Thank you for your offer, but I will not have my family begging while I am working and well-fed.”
Mom put her hand on my shoulder. “My Joseph. I’m proud of you. You have worked hard. Between what your dad saved and what you have earned, we will be okay.”
“But how will you keep up with the fields?”
Heli smiled and slapped my shoulder. He had a strong slap. “You are a good man. How about I pay half the wages for the laborers to plant your fields and work the harvest while you are apprenticing with me? You can pay the balance from the sale of crops.”
The Christmas Story as you’ve never heard it before.
Join characters from THE Christmas story as they share how one encounter with Hope changed their lives.
From Zechariah meeting the angel in the temple to Joseph struggling as he contemplates his role in raising the Son of God, these thirteen interwoven short stories will captivate and inspire readers. Travel through the Biblical account with perspectives from a priest, shepherds, Wise Men, and even a soldier in this unique and powerful retelling of The Christmas Story.
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