christmas//through the lens of courage

there are certain words and phrases that quickly come to mind when thinking of the christmas season and its story.

hope, joy, love, peace, merry, good will towards men...

all of which are true and beautiful.

though i think we get stuck on those words (i know i do) and fail to realize the many other aspects, words, and phrases that encompass and define this miraculous story.

this year i've been encouraged to see christmas through a new lens. what i often miss or fail to give proper thought and reflection to joseph's side of the story.  and what i found as i read through it was that it really presents Christmas to us through the lens of courage.  

for joseph courage first looked like this: 

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared

to him in a dream and said “Joseph son of David, do not be

afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived

in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you

are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people

from their sins.”-Matthew 1:20–21

joseph was not unafraid, but rather walked into the fear with faith.

as the story progresses we watch joseph time and time again pick himself up, take up his family and walk forward with courage, letting God handle the outcomes.  

i think the angel appearing to joseph is often overlooked but is not without its grand importance in the unfolding story of Jesus coming to earth.  the angel stopped joseph from making a decision that could have had severe negative effects.  and it wasn't like the angel forced joseph into action with his magical powers.  joseph made a choice.  a courageous choice.  he was a righteous man, but he showed himself to be much like me and much like you.  he felt fear, but he was a person who chose to trust.  

and what comes in part as a result of joseph's courage is the story that transcends 2,000 years and is still changing lives and impacting hearts to this very day.  

today we celebrate.  and i am thankful for the reason in which we can gather together with friends and families and share gifts with one another.  may it's true reason not be lost in our hearts this day.   

this song has been on repeat for me this christmas season.  this year it reminds me of why the courage that we see in the christmas story is possible for each of us.  and i am thankful that christmas and all that it holds inspires courage.

Only to bring you peace,
Only at Christmas time,
Only the King of Kings,
Only what once was mine,
It takes the end of time,
It takes a long, long time,
Only one thought of mine,
Only at Christmas time.
He brings us peace,
He brings us joy,
He brings all thoughts to destroy,
Only at Christmas time,
To bring us peace,
To bring us joy,
To bring all thoughts to destroy,
Only at Christmas time.
Only at Christmas time,
Only a dream to cry,
Only at Christmas time,
If you can read the sign,
Only at Christmas time,
Everything lost will be found,
Only at Christmas time,
Only at Christmas time