Why?

This week’s journal in the devotional Advent Journeys seeks to speak the words of Joseph as he travels with Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary were unique individuals of character, and for this reason they were chosen by God to become parents who would be remembered and who would serve as examples for other parents across two thousand years of history.

View from the Precipice near Nazareth 

Have you ever wondered why God chose this couple and how we can emulate their parenting methods with our own children?

Kitchen at a home in Katzrin

The scripture teaches that Joseph and Mary were individuals with integrity. Each parent in their own way sought to honor God with all their hearts, minds and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) When Gabriel came to Mary in order to inform her that she was chosen to give birth to the one called “the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32), she responded by asking “How can this be since I am a virgin.” Mary wanted her faithfulness to be known by the angel, by her parents, by her community and by Joseph.

Village of Katzrin in the Galilee

Matthew 1 tells of Joseph’s concern when he found out that Mary was pregnant. He loved her, but he knew his integrity would be compromised when the community came to know Mary was with child. Joseph sought a way to end the betrothal in an extremely private manner. As he prayed and sought God’s wisdom on the matter, Gabriel visited Joseph as he had visited Mary. The heavenly being assured Joseph that Mary had done nothing wrong. And the Angel asked Joseph to complete the marriage and to adopt the child.

Village of Katzrin in the Galilee

Both parents had similar concerns and stepped out in faith to accept the child and God’s calling to become parents and teachers of a child who was well beyond them in intellect and righteousness.

Scaffolding at Katzrin

Joseph and Mary sought throughout the life of Jesus and of their other children (Matthew 13:55-56) to bring faith to their family. The holy parents taught their children the scripture at every opportunity. They stood as examples of faith through every trial (and there were many, such as the necessity of escape from Bethlehem and living as parents of faith in a foreign land). Joseph and Mary honored every Jewish tradition and honored the festivals with their family. Joseph taught Jesus the skills of his trade and Mary loved Jesus and lived her care for him to the day of his death and beyond.

Packing down a roof in Katzrin

Jesus’ parents willingly took on any hardship and sought in every way to bring their children up in the faith. Today as parents we must do the same. We must honor the Christmas season with more than presents, we must honor God by giving our children our presence to tell real story of our faith. Parents show God’s love through proper placement of priorities.

Teaching of God

In my last blog I shared my passion for teaching children about God. This passion in my life was not a passing phase or a job-related necessity. I truly believe we must put time, effort, energy, creativity, substance and finances into preparing our children to receive the torch of life from us and sprint into the future.

One way I followed my heart was to teach children the true meaning of Christmas. (it is not too early to prepare or to tell. The Christmas season will consume us with activity and meaningless tradition unless we prepare ahead!)  While in ministry I would begin planning for the Christmas season as soon as fall activities were functioning, generally toward the end of September.

The activities I planned for the Christmas season were personal for my family, and were shared with others. The plans made revolved around the idea that time given to my children is the best gift of the season, and that the time is only worthwhile if it furthers their faith in God. The object of the plan was to provide, lead, and/or join my children in at least one activity each day to enhance the Biblical story.

Our activities included eating birthday cake (for Jesus’ birthday), going on trips, making and sending Christmas cards (they announce our faith in Jesus, just as the angels announced His coming), eating at Burger King (and wearing crowns like the magi), visiting sheep farms and serving our neighbors and other community members in service. Each day of Christmas was carefully planned around a theme and given a scripture to set context. Many of these ideas can be found under the Advent Tab on www.KosherCopy.com. My best ideas for daily activities are on my website.

I also published a devotional entitled “Advent Journeys”, a book containing six weeks of devotionals. The devotionals are written like short diary entries and spoken by the people of our Biblical story. The diaries help the people of the Bible stories, who can at times seem two-dimensional, become three-dimensional as the reader gets a look into what their daily lives were like. Each diary entry links to the ideas found under the Advent tab on www.KosherCopy.com.

Readers of Advent Journeys remark that the diaries make the Bible come alive. The favorite chapter seems to be the first week’s journal about Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father) at the Temple; the chapter has even been awarded. When a reader embarks on, and finishes the week’s journey with Zechariah, he will experience with Zechariah what it is like to serve in the Temple and tend the altar of incense in the Holy Place. The reader will see the pure joy Zechariah and Elizabeth experience when they find out about their baby.

On the second week, the reader will meet Joseph and Mary and walk alongside them on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. During the third week the reader will join the shepherds in the fields tending sheep. He will find himself there the moment the Angel announces Christ’s birth. In the fourth week the reader will experience the anticipation and adventure of the Magi as they travel across the desert and through the throne room of King Herod in search of the newborn king.. The book, Advent Journeys, also contains a week of devotions for Chanukah. The book is meant to be read by either individuals, groups, or families: your family will enjoy reading the book together each day.

Last year I did a giveaway for a short time on Kindle. This year I am asking people who read the book to share the experience by giving Advent Journeys as an Advent gift (before Thanksgiving) or a Christmas gift. My goal is for children and their families, at least for a moment, to leave the schedule and demands of the Christmas season and escape into the world of the Bible in order to seize the wonder of the first Christmas.