Just as the “roots” of our Lord Jesus go back fourteen generations, we are part of a root system that indicates what kind of plant will grow in future generations. Our heroes of faith - generous givers of time and love, those who tell the story of Jesus to people around them, men and women who believe in spite of severe trials - show us what a difference faith makes. They give us a picture of the kind of faith Jesus asks for.

Joseph had to follow God’s will and not his culture’s opinions. His engagement to Mary was the beginning of the commitment. But when Joseph heard from God that Mary was pregnant, he knew that his culture’s assumption was that she was no longer pure. But man’s views do not often see God’s truth. She was miraculously with child through the Holy Spirit.

Courageously, both Mary and Joseph obeyed God, one step at a time, cooperating with the divine plan to bring a Savior into the world. Their purity of vision, their determination and faith came from God, and He kept them safe, even though the powers of the world would have destroyed them.

Today, let us focus on His will, not our own. He will keep us.