I had longed for a wife and family
But God had not yet willed it
As the emptiness continued
I so wanted one to share my life
And so I prayed

I knew Joachim and Anne
 As Joseph they knew of me
A carpenter, I had built their table
And now bring it to their home

But soon everything changed
For knitting quietly in a small chair
Was their beautiful daughter Mary
Oh that my life could change forever
And so I prayed

Joachim had introduced us
And I saw a deep beauty in her eyes
Beyond anything I’d ever seen
As she shyly offered me some water

From her gentle hand I took it
And my heart began to race
Oh that I could ask for her hand
If Joachim would only approve
And so I prayed

My prayer was answered later
When Joachim offered her to me
To become my beloved wife
And with great joy I accepted her

Now soon to be married we wait
Not seeing each other until then
As we pray for God to bless us
And to join us as one in him
And so I prayed

I praised God for his wisdom
As I fell into a peaceful sleep
And dreamt of a wife and family
In joyful praise for this blessing

Yet now another dream, an angel came
Surprising and frightening me
With news that hurts my ears
That Mary was already with child

I was crushed and saddened
And shocked by disbelief
At this terrible turn of fate
Yet the angel assured me again
And so I prayed

I felt a calm breeze as he spoke
This angel messenger of God
“This child is not from man
But from God the Holy Spirit”

God’s angel spoke again to say
"You are to name him 'Jesus'
Because he will save all peoples
From their sinful ways"
And so I prayed

I will do as God has said
And take Mary into my home
Her life I surely will save
Her child, a son, I will raise

Oh this is hard and strange
This fateful blessing of mine
To finally have my dream
Yet not at all as I imagined
And so I prayed

I look back, marveling at this miracle
At how God worked to guide me
At how in his time, all is his plan
 I am humbled with restored joy to be so blest

And so I pray
Dear Lord I thank you
For the gift of your loving wisdom
Help me to be open to your will
Which is beyond my comprehension
May I be open to Your work through me
Help and strengthen me with your grace
To always trust and depend on you
For we live your plan not ours
And depend on you alone
Help me to believe the unbelievable
To receive the inconceivable