“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:5

According to the tracking on my Goodreads app, I knew in November that no confetti would fall in celebration of me meeting my reading challenge of 66 books in 2020 (last year when I made my goal, confetti filled my screen in celebration of my accomplishment).  Instead, I finished the year with forty-six books, twenty books behind my goal.  I felt disappointed in myself and examined how in the world, in the middle of a pandemic where everything was shut down, did I not achieve my goal!  Did I spend too much time on social media?  Did I waste my time scrolling through Pinterest?  Was I just a sloth?

Yet, at the end of the year, when I looked at my book report, I gained a different perspective on my reading habits.  Honestly, I could stand to lessen my social media intake, and it is something that I am going to continue to work on.  But the pandemic made my life a lot busier, I immediately picked up more babysitting hours by helping a family with their children’s virtual education.  I also took more time to get outside and, as a result, listened to a lot more podcasts.  More importantly, I read a lot of great books this year!!!  When it came to preparing for this post, I could easily have listed fifteen books to review as important, life-changing books.  In addition, most of the books I read were meaty, full of well-worded sentences that induced highlighting, and sharing my thoughts with whomever was around me, in most cases, my husband.  They challenged my way of thinking, pointed me towards Christ and, often, I would let whole paragraphs marinate in my soul for a while before continuing reading.

It took some time for me to narrow down my list, but here are five books that I would like to review for you.  My criteria included choosing books that would resonate with anyone at any stage in their lives, that pointed one toward God, and that I would likely reread in my lifetime.  This year, I included one great work of fiction, three books on personal growth, and one book on creativity.  I have also included three podcasts that have inspired and challenged me!  My hope is that when you finish reading this post, you will be inspired to read more in 2021!

1. Emma by Jane Austen: I am a book snob and am always telling others to read the book and avoid the movie.  But with the 1996 version of Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow, I was a bit of a hypocrite.  Although I had read other classics, I had missed reading Jane Austen.  I fell in love with the movie and started reading different Jane Austen works, but I never read Emma.  Last year, I finally picked up the book, and found myself even more delighted in the words and story.  I know some would argue that Jane Austen is simply a sophisticated romance writer.  Instead, I, along with other lovers of English literature, would contend her works are a commentary on society, pointing out the prejudices in class and status that remain relevant today.  One of my favorite lines is when Mr. Knightley, in Emma’s best interest, chastises her with these words, “Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.”  It reminds me to be careful with my opinions and thoughts because how I say and do things can negatively affect others.  It is a lesson that I continue to work on, today!
2. None Like Him by Jen Wilkin: I have already mentioned in a previous post Jen Wilkin’s book, Women of the Word and how it has impacted my life.  This is another insightful book that examines, as the subtitle states, “10 Ways God is different from us and why that’s a good thing.”  She unpacks traits of God, such as immutable, omnipresent, and sovereign, that define his divinity.  She then discusses ways we try to rival God in those traits.  She states, “We must recover the truth that was obscured by the Serpent: rather than being like God in his unlimited divinity, we are to be like God in our limited humanity.”  The book gives you space to reflect through journaling about issues that resonate with you, and to write a prayer asking God to help you reflect His Glory.
3. Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson.  I loved this book so much, I recommended it to four other people after reading only the first few chapters.  Peterson is a Christian songwriter, author, and artist who believes that God’s truth can be reflected in the arts.  He explores how creating art in a community stimulates ideas and creativity.  In relation to community, he says, “They look you in the eye and remind you who you are in Christ.  They reiterate your calling when you forget what it is.  They step into the garden and help you weed it, help you to grow something beautiful.”  In addition, the book mentions several poets, musicians, and authors I have added to my list to explore.  This inspired me to join Called Creatives, a group of women who are pursuing creativity in speaking and writing.  The group provides training, mentoring opportunities, and a place to bounce ideas.
4. Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge.  My husband is a big John Eldredge fan and has been devouring his books and podcasts for the past few years.  I bought this book for him and he would often share with me practices he found in the book to reduce stress and bring calm to the craziness of life.  I decided that in the middle of a pandemic, this might be a good book for me to read as well.  He reminds you to drink in beauty, engage in one-minute pauses, and to get outside and experience God’s creation.  All these practices help re-orientate us toward God.  I have personally embraced the concept of getting outdoors, focusing on nature and being more aware of God’s creative design.
5. All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment by Hannah Anderson.  When my children were young, I often used Philippians 4:6 as a measuring tool for evaluating media choices with them, whether it be books, movies, or music.  Hannah Anderson explores this verse more deeply, challenging the reader to cultivate discernment in all areas of our lives.  According to Anderson, “Discernment does not change the challenges we face, it changes our ability to face them.”  This is a book that I am sure to read again and continue to learn and grow.

In addition to these five books, I also want to share three podcasts that inspired me this year.

1. Speaking with Joy: by Joy Clarkson.  Joy, the daughter of Sally Clarkson, one of my heroes in the homeschooling movement, is finishing her PhD. at St. Andrews in Scotland.  The podcast centers on the importance of good stories, music and images that cultivate God’s beauty in our world.  She explores themes like the importance of whimsy, celebrating advent, and our need for heroes.  This podcast is for those of you who like to nerd out about literature and God’s truth.  Both Terry and I loved her podcast so much we listened to seven hours of it on our way to Rhode Island.
2. He Said, She Said: by Melinda Poitras.  Melinda is a young woman who grew up in Africa as the daughter of a missionary.  In short segments, she addresses issues like the importance of counseling, dreams, and faith.  Her poetic prose encourages you to find your identity in God.  And although she addresses some tough issues, she encourages you with the hope of Jesus!
3. Strong Sense of Place: by David Humphreys and Melissa Joulwan: I discovered this podcast in late November and binge listened to all the past year’s episodes by the end of December.  They pick a place, whether it be a city, country, or a theme, such as trains, and explore it through five literary choices.  Many of the book choices they discuss sound great, although some of them may be a little salty for my taste.  Dave and Mel also share some history, culture, and geographical highlights of the place they are exploring.  I am so inspired to read more, and some day take a trip to places like Morocco (one of their themes).  In addition to their podcasts, they also have a great website that includes a blog full of great pictures of libraries and bookstores across the world!

With the craziness of the world, I think its important for us to have healthy outlets for our minds.  For me, books fill the spaces where anxiety and stress try to take up residence.  I love Anne Lamott’s thoughts on books.  She says, “For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth.  What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you.  Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave.  They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”  I already have a pile of books on my nightstand, ready to explore new ideas, worlds and thoughts!

“Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

Psalm 33:22

A group of our friends gathered on a cold New Year’s Day in Wisconsin for the final goodbyes.  We gathered the last of our belongings and loaded them in the moving van.  We chatted for a few minutes, stalling for time.  My preteens giggled with their friends, but the laughter echoed hollowly in the empty house.  I stood looking at these kids as memories swirled in my head: babies crawling, toddlers learning to share, elementary children creating worlds in their imaginations, preteen sleepovers with pancake-eating contests in the morning, swimming at the lake, and sledding trips to the parks.  I remembered these were the kids that worshiped together at the altar, performed together in Christmas programs, and Bible quizzed together.  They were lifelong friends; they had always known each other.  And now, two of them were leaving.

I then looked at my own lifelong friends.  This was my group, some of them family by blood, others family by relationship.  We had spent most of our holidays together, celebrated each other’s accomplishments, stood by each other’s side during weddings, and rejoiced with each other when our babies arrived.  We shared each other’s sorrows and griefs.  As tears flooded my eyes, I hugged my friends hard!  I knew we would always be friends, but the distance would forever change the daily nurturing nature of our friendship.  I got into our van, held my husband’s hand, and took a deep breath.  Even though I did not look back, my mind was racing with memories as we headed to Pennsylvania.

It is hard to believe that pivotal day in my life was ten years ago.  To be totally transparent with you, it was a tough move for me.  For the first few months, I put on a smile, but inside I was battling depression.  I forced myself to keep a routine when I desperately wanted to hibernate under the covers.  I, who loved adventure, struggled to find the energy to explore a new grocery store.  As spring thawed the frozen ground, I determined to snap out of my depression and for the next few years I lived on experiences.  We did a lot of traveling: New York City, Vermont, Maine, North Carolina, Washington DC, and Williamsburg, Virginia.  The sightseeing provided a temporary band aid for my grief.

Yet, the novelty of the experiences wore off, leaving me battling depression once again.  I did find things that I really loved about my new home: the mountains, the warmer weather, and the longer springs and autumns.  But when I contrasted it with the things I had lost, I felt like my emotional bank account was always in the red.  I remember about seven years ago, my daughter asking me a straightforward question: Will you ever be happy in Pennsylvania?  I honestly did not know.  This question prompted me to spend time in prayer asking God to help me to learn to be content.  I chose to focus on my blessings and not on my losses.  I stopped measuring my life in Pennsylvania against the life I had in Wisconsin.  I also stopped trying to understand why God had moved my family to Pennsylvania and, instead, focused on what God was trying to teach me.  The depression lifted and my perspective started to change.  It has been a slow process, and I know that God has used this time to teach me about myself and, more importantly, His unfailing love for me.

Like most of you, I am so ready to start a new year!  My new calendar was hung up on December 30, in anticipation of 2021.  For the first time in years, I stayed up until midnight to welcome in the new year.  Yet, if you look at the political climate, the numbers of COVID-19 cases increasing, and the advent of a new strain of the virus, it is easy to look at the new year with pessimistic, even cynical eyes.  I know that when I sat down with my husband to discuss plans for our 25^th anniversary, it was with the caveat, “if restrictions are lifted.”  It is easy to look at the surface of our current situations and lean into despair for the upcoming year, even though flipping the calendar sparked a moment of joy.

In his book, Life is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superstition, Wendell Berry wrote, “For quite a while it has been possible for a free and thoughtful person to see that to treat life as mechanical or predictable or understandable is to reduce it.  Now almost suddenly, it is becoming clear that to reduce life to the scope of our understanding (whatever ‘Model’ we use) is to enslave it, make property of it, and put it up for sale.  That is to give up on life, to carry it beyond change and redemption, and to increase the proximity to despair.”  In other words, when I moved to Pennsylvania, or flipped the calendar to 2021, it was easy to look at what I can see, such as losses, COVID-19 numbers, and restrictions.  But when I focus only on what I can see, I reduce life and the capacity of hope.

For the past two years, I have asked God to give me a word or a phrase as a theme for my life.  This year, I felt like God gave me the simple two-letter word “up”.  I looked up synonyms in the thesaurus to try to make the word seem more sophisticated, but nothing else seemed to resonate with me.  “Up”, as an adjective, is defined as “moving toward a higher place or position.”  I am sure, as the year progresses, God will unpack that simple word with even deeper meaning for me.  At this moment, I feel like God is telling me to look upward, to look towards hope!  Things may seem bleak in the news, in the hospitals, and on my calendar, but my hope is not fixed on what I can see!  If I look up towards God, I can be confident that God has things in control.

Abraham, the first person called into a covenant relationship with God, was challenged to trust God with his future by being willing to sacrifice his promised son on an altar.  God saw Abraham’s faith with the raised knife and told him to stop, declaring to Abraham, “I know that you fear God”. According to the Bible, Abraham then lifted up his eyes and saw a ram caught in the bushes near the altar.  His words, spoken earlier to his son, that God would provide a sacrifice, were fulfilled.  Abraham had no idea how things would turn out as he walked up the mountain to sacrifice his son, but he did know that God was in control.

I have no idea what 2021 has in store for me.  I don’t know if my anniversary trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons will happen.  But I do know that God has already ordered my steps, and that if I look up and trust Him, I can have hope!

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” Psalm 98:4

It is Christmas morning!  I’ll be honest with you; I’m waking up to a quieter Christmas than I had expected and hoped for.  Due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases, my son and his family will not be joining us for Christmas brunch and the rest of the Christmas festivities.  I will miss my grandson’s first Christmas.  I will miss seeing my son indulge in his favorite Christmas treats.  I will miss creating memories with my daughter-in-law and her teasing my husband about his love of tinsel.  I will miss celebrating Christmas with our friends, the Caron family.  Instead, their Christmas presents sit under the tree, with hopes to be together as soon as we can.  The decision was hard, the tears did flow, but, ultimately, it was the right and responsible thing to do.

I have spent all of December posting micro-blogs exploring Advent through scripture, songs, books, and movies.  I’ve written about the importance of choosing to hope in hard seasons and remaining calm during stressful times.  When I started these micro-blogs. I had no idea how much they would minister to me.  Both the research and the writing has challenged me in so many ways.  I believe that God knew what my Christmas morning would look like, and now He is asking me, “Do you really believe what you write?”

My answer to that question is a resounding “Yes!”  So, this Christmas morning, join with me in celebrating hope in the form of Jesus Christ.  I am going to start my morning out by listening to the song “Joy to the World”. I hope you find time in your day to listen to this familiar carol.  When researching the lyrics of this song, I discovered that Isaac Watts wrote this song based on David’s words in Psalm 98.  Even though we sing this carol at Christmas, it is so much more than about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.  It is a celebration praise about Jesus’ second return.  When Jesus comes again, sin and sorrows will no longer grow.  He will rule the world with truth and grace!!   All of heaven and nature will sing about His wonderous love!!  Merry Christmas, and I hope you find your day filled with joy and hope!

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

When my kids were little, there was a house in our neighborhood that exploded with Christmas lights.  During the month of December, Terry would deter on our trip home, and the children would squeal with anticipation.   As we approached the house, their eyes were bright with delight, pointing at all the sights and sighing with pleasure.   No matter how many times we visited the house, the children always found something new to savor.  Yet, this same house during the day, offered no amusement for my children.  It was only when the sky was dark, that the explosion of light brought joy to my family.

The book of John begins with explaining the attributes of Jesus.  John states “In him was life and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  Throughout the birth of Jesus, light was used to illuminate the presence of Jesus.  The wisemen followed a bright star to find Jesus and bright light surrounded the angels when they announced the birth to the shepherds.  Notice that each of the lights occurred in darkness, and neither the wisemen nor the shepherds were completely aware of what this birth meant.  They just knew that following the light would transform their lives.

Just like 2000 years ago, the presence of Jesus still illuminates the darkness in our world.  Ken Dillingham, of the Dillingham group, in a recent podcast stated, “The light has the greatest effectiveness when it is the darkest.”  A candle doesn’t have the same ethereal beauty during the day then it does at night.   My sweetest moments with Jesus have been the times in my life when the hard situation seemed to be closing in on me.  At these times, I would read a scripture, hear a message, or have a friend speak a word of encouragement to me, bringing light into my darkness.  This light was like a beacon for me, leading to me joy, peace, love, and hope.   Matthew describes the people that Jesus ministered to as “dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, for those dwelling in the region, and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”  It’s Christmas Eve, and the final hours of Advent are approaching.  Light a candle this evening, notice how it makes everything in your home beautiful and festive.  When you blow the candle out, know that in the morning, we are celebrating “the life that was the light of men.”

“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is a steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:7

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, known as the first American poet, strolled around on Christmas morning, clutching the letter from the Army informing him that his son was critically injured.  His head down, tears streaming down his face, he could not bare the thought of another loss.  Two years earlier, he had lost his wife when her dress caught fire.  His desperate, futile attempts to save her left him scarred and severely injured.  This letter seemed a blight on any Christmas joy, especially when he heard the church bells toll Christmas carols.  He went home and penned the famous poem, “Christmas Bells”!

Although Longfellow admits to feeling despair in the poem by writing, “there is no peace on earth I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song”, he doesn’t stay in that place.  He concludes that as the bells continue to ring “more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep, the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”  This poem is a great depiction of Advent.  Yes, we live in a fallen world where we can see evil all around.  Just like Longfellow, we may have moments of despair, yet Advent is always a reminder that in the darkest moments, we always have hope!  Like the Psalmist David, we can declare, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”

One of my favorite things about Christmas baking is making the cookies bite sized.  This size is the perfect party cookie, allowing you to fill a small plate of assorted cookies, pop one into your mouth, and continue on your merry way, engaging in conversations, creating memories, or singing carols with your friends.  I also like my cookie trays to look simple and natural, with small pops of colors.  However, when we attempted to tint the frosting in this Thumbprint cookie green and red for a more festive look, the garishness of the frosting made the cookies less appealing.

The following recipe was adapted by my husband and I the first year we were married.  Instead of jam, we decided to balance out the buttery shortbread cookie crusted with walnuts with buttercream frosting.  It soon became a hit with my friends and family.  This cookie freezes well, but I recommend tray freezing them after frosting to keep them looking as pretty as they are delicious.

Thumbprint Cookies

2 c. all-purpose flour

½ c. firmly packed brown sugar   

1 c. butter, softened                                                               

2 eggs, separated                    

1/8 t. salt                                                                                 

1 t. vanilla                                     

2 c. finely chopped walnuts (best if chopped in food processor)

Preheat oven to 350⁰.  Cream butter and sugar.  Setting the egg whites aside, add the egg yolks and vanilla, mixing until well combined.  Add the flour and salt, mix for 2-3 minutes longer, scraping the bowl down until all ingredients are combined.  Shape dough into round 1-inch balls.  In a small bowl, beat egg whites until frothy.  Dip each ball of dough into egg white and then roll in chopped walnuts.  Place on a parchment-covered cookie sheet.  Make a small depression in the center of each cookie with back of a teaspoon.  Bake for 7-8 minutes, until the center of the cookie looks set.  After they have cooled, pipe centers with buttercream frosting.

Michele’s Buttercream Frosting (this recipe is from my friend Michele Cassaday)

1/3 c. butter                                                      

1 ½ t. vanilla

4 ½ c. sifted powdered sugar                     

¼ c. milk

Beat butter till fluffy.  Add 2 c. powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Then slowly add the rest of the powdered sugar.  Thin out with additional milk if needed to achieve the right consistency.

“In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples, of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10

The prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint a new king over Israel.  He was to go to Bethlehem and find this king among the sons of Jesse.  With no pageantry or public proclamations, Samuel approached Jesse and his sons, looking for the one he thought was worthy to be king.  The oldest son stood proudly with intelligent eyes, but God quickly informed Samuel that this was not the chosen one.  Another son stood before the prophet, his strength was evident in his physical stature, but he too was not be the future king.  Five more sons, each having distinct characteristics outwardly that seemed royal in nature, passed before Samuel, yet God was not interested in any of these sons.  God told Samuel that He doesn’t look on the outward appearance, but rather on the heart.  Heeding God’s word but feeling frustrated, Samuel pleaded with Jesse, did he have any more sons?  Reluctantly, Jesse admitted his youngest was left in the fields, herding sheep.  As the forgotten David appeared before Samuel, God told Samuel that this was the one.  Although David was anointed that day, his time to reign would not happen for many years.  Meanwhile, he would be insulted by his family, face giants, be chased by a king and his army, and forced to be homeless!  Only after all these trials would David finally receive his crown and rule as king.

About one thousand years later, in the small village of Bethlehem, the king of all kings was about to enter the world.  His birth would not be marked by any other leaders of his nation, only poor shepherds would acknowledge his arrival.  His parents, likely feeling forgotten and inconsequential, could not even find a proper place for his mother to give birth.  Instead, their last resort was a stable meant to house animals.  His first cradle would not be covered with plush purple blankets, the color of royalty, instead he would be wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a bed of straw in a rough feeding trough.  Although his birth signified the promise of redemption being fulfilled, he wouldn’t fulfill that promise for another thirty-three years.  During that time, he would be rejected by the people he grew up with, betrayed by all his closest friends, slandered by the religious leaders of his day, beaten until his body was covered with stripes, and crucified on a cross.  Yet, this king would reign, conquering death and the grave!  He would ascend into heaven, and more than two thousand years later, we eagerly await his return!  This time, his kingship will be recognized by everyone, for the Lord declares, “every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess”!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“Marley was dead” is the opening sentence in to one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time.  Charles Dickens quickly penned the novella, “A Christmas Carol”, in six weeks, hoping to inspire England to celebrate Christmas with more charity, and to improve his own financial situation.  It is reported that as Scrooge was traveling London with ghosts on paper, Dickens himself was wandering the streets of London for inspiration.  In 1843, the people of London were divided into two different worlds.  The first world was filled with bounty, lavish homes and furnishings, and idle entertainment.  The second world, containing most of the population of London, was marked by a lack of food and clothing, children working twelve-hour days in factories, poor houses, and debtor’s prisons.  Dickens hoped that his little ghost story would “help open the hearts of the prosperous and powerful towards the poor and powerless.”  In his sixty-six-page manuscript, Scrooge’s encounters with ghosts lead to his redemption with the declaration, “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”  Not only did Scrooge redeem his life, Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” helped reform much of London, inspiring changes not only in laws but also in hearts.

Like Scrooge, just maybe, I needed to redeem my Christmas in 2020.  This Advent season, I am using the quietness of Christmas in the middle of a pandemic as a reset for me.  I am not rushing around shopping, or busy with Christmas programs and activities.  Instead, I am spending that time leaning into Advent, exploring it through a few devotionals, rereading portions of scripture, and listening to Advent poetry.  For the first time, Terry and I are reading “A Christmas Carol” aloud together, engrossed in Dicken’s imagery with phrases like, “You may be an undigested bit of beef.”  I feel calmer and more peaceful than I ever have, even though my oven coil broke yesterday morning in the middle of cookie baking.  Even my research for my Advent blog posts has awakened a deeper curiosity about the big picture of Jesus’ birth and the redemption it brings for mankind.  Although I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas 2021 without a pandemic, like Scrooge, “I will not shut out the lessons” I have learned this Advent season!

“Every good gift and perfect gift is form above, coming down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17

It’s my grandson’s first Christmas, and although he is not going to remember it, I am so excited!  As I was shopping for Christmas gifts for Joel, I researched the best toys for a five-month-old, trying to find something that would stimulate his curiosity and help him meet developmental milestones.  I carefully weighed my options and picked out a few gifts I thought he would love.  Terry wrapped his gifts, and I cannot wait for Joel to open them.

Jesus, too, received gifts, and even if the wise men had done research, I am sure they could not have made all the connections to the significance of the gifts they chose.  As they worshiped the newborn king, they presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Mary and Joseph.  They would have known that each of these gifts signified royalty, deity, and consecration.  They might have even known how each of these gifts would have been used in the temple where the Hebrew people worshiped.  But they would not have understood that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection would fulfill the symbolic uses of these gifts.  Furthermore, what the wise men could not predict is how these gifts were likely used.  Some commentaries have surmised that Joseph’s financial status was such that to escape to Egypt, he likely would have had to sell these gifts.  Think about this: the gifts were sold to save the greatest gift given to mankind.  Even more astounding, these gifts were presented by non-Jewish men, setting the stage for a salvation that was for everyone!  The research I have done for these blog posts has convinced me more than ever of the sovereignty of God.  Just like I spent time researching gifts for Joel, God even more perfectly designed every detail of the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus!

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Proverbs 11:3

Mary, Elizabeth, and Zacharias sang poetic praise, Simeon and Anna spoke words of blessing, the shepherds told others the good news and the wise men asked earnest questions.  They all had a lot to say regarding the birth of Jesus, but Joseph, a principal character in the nativity, said nothing.  None of the gospels record any profound words that the earthly father of Jesus said about the miracle that others would perceive to be a scandal.  Instead, Joseph’s actions spoke louder about his character and His trust in God than any words he could have pontificated!

We first meet Joseph as he is deciding to show mercy to the woman he loves, despite all evidence indicating her betrayal.  Legally, Joseph had the right to have her stoned, but he felt no justification in destroying Mary or her reputation, so he decided to divorce her quietly.  While Joseph was contemplating this decision, he had a dream from God that gave him miraculous insight into Mary’s pregnancy.  He followed the angel’s directions, married Mary, and likely endured all the gossip that ensued about his newlywed status.  He had three other dreams, all relating to the safety of Jesus, and Joseph heeded the warnings, following the instructions of angels without question.  These instructions involved Joseph uprooting his family and moving to an unfamiliar place.  Not only did Joseph lose his reputation, but also likely had to start all over in his career.  Christian radio commentator, David Jeremiah, says, “Integrity is keeping a commitment even after circumstances have changed.”  Joseph embodies this definition of integrity, providing an example for all of us on how to act in the presence of our Savior!