The Guardian Poem by Trevor Toews

Back when the mighty Prince of Peace
Could be wrapped up tight in swaddling clothes,
Back when His needs were the simplest comforts,
Only a mother in love bestows.
There was a man, with furrowed brow,
Weighing the risks and pacing the floor.
Back when the child was vulnerable
There was a Guardian watching the door.
Already burdened with social shame,
He pondered all of the strange events,
And grappled long with his place of duty,
To bear reproach without a defense.
Sorely taxed, and not only by Caesar,
Appalled by what he'd been driven to do,
To take his new bride on this arduous journey
He shuddered at all he had taken her through.
Then no sooner had he found them a dwelling,
There came an angel to him by night,
To warn of a wicked king's ambition,
And urge an immediate, hurried flight.
Then up he rose into gentle action,
He did not shrink from the angel's call,
But with a purpose protected the child,
He was the Guardian, after all.

I see him lead through the dust and darkness,
Hastening his duty to do.
And I draw strength from this man's commitment,
I see myself as a Guardian too.

In the fragile heart of a little child,
Or a youth who has newly been born again,
Christ Jesus has His humble beginnings,
Just like He came to the world back then.
That young soul who receives the Savior,
Open in vulnerability,
May need a stand-over man like Joseph,
Willing to serve in humility.
For there is an enemy walking about,
Seeking whom he may devour,
And these in whom Christ is only an infant,
Need someone to watch every day, every hour.
Awake from your sleep! Take those in your charge,
Do not shrink from the task God asks you to do.
For Christ needs a Guardian, to watch and to keep Him
In the heart of a child depending on you.