Do Not Be Afraid

What does righteousness look like when empire rewards exposure, punishment, and public performance? We return to Joseph, too often flattened into nativity furniture. Matthew restores him as a man whose moral courage makes the incarnation possible. His refusal to disgrace Mary contradicts both Roman values and the modern Christian nationalism that prizes dominance over mercy. This final Sunday of Advent gathers the threads of the season — warning, wilderness, prison, and now a dream — as Christmas draws near. You are welcome here. Protected Speech | Views My Own Between Bread and Stone © 2025 Stephen Brewer. All rights reserved. Podcast audio and full text may be quoted for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Gospel text from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Get full access to Drawing the Line at percival84.substack.com/subscribe