Has it been a great year for you? Today is Christmas. This season is said to be the most wonderful time of year. Has it been wonderful for you? For a lot of people reading this, 2017 has been tough, and this Christmas may be the toughest. But let me tell you something if you are a believer, your faith need to be bigger than whatever it is you are facing right now. Your integrity as a Christian depends on it. There is always a reason to celebrate Christmas every year, and that reason is Jesus.

Amram, Moses’ father, walked in his integrity. Although he and Jochebed lived in a slave hut on the banks of the Nile in the Goshen neighborhood, their children were blessed. We know very little about this godly couple except that their faith was bigger than their fears. They also defied the Egyptian decree tyrant who ordered that they murder their son Moses. The name Jochebed meant “God my glory.” Jochebed moved around that prison compound with the anointing of God. She turned their neighborhood into a suburb of Heaven. The name Amram signified “a high people.” So, with a father who prayed to God and a mother to bring Heaven’s glory down to earth, they created a lovely home for Moses, an Aaron, and a Miriam.

The first thing we read about Moses parents was that they were Levites. A verse from Exodus reads,

“Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman”

(Exodus 2:1 NRSV).

Later on, it was going to be revealed how the role of the Tribe of Levi would be a tribe set apart for God.

The name Levi communicates the notion of being “attached” to someone; in this case, this tribe was to be attached to God. Amram did not take that attachment lightly. He did not want to be unequally yoked; so he married a woman who shared the same attachment. Amram walked in his integrity as a Levite, and his children were blessed. Their choice to live lives of integrity, despite Egyptian slavery, opened doors to a great destiny for their children. A life of integrity will always create a workable life regardless of the external circumstances.

Moses became a mighty prophet; Aaron became a ministering priest; Miriam became a melodious partner. Amram’s three children led the nation in bringing God’s people from the house of bondage to the boundaries of the Promised Land. Moses gave the Hebrews courage to exit a life of slavery (Exo. 12:13). Meanwhile, Aaron taught them how to be sure (Lev. 16), as Miriam taught them how to be satisfied (Exo. 15:20–21). Their parents, Amram and Jochebed, must be very proud of them.

In this society, choosing to honor your word and living a life of integrity as a believer are hard to do. However, Amram and Jochebed show us that to remain in integrity is possible, however unpleasant a situation may seem. At the end of it all, God is sovereign, and He will honor your integrity. God will bless your choice to live holy and complete your life which you set apart for Him.

Choose to rejoice in this season. More than 2000 years ago, a baby was born, so that he can die as payment for the sins of the world. This hope is with you today. Whatever you are going through right now, I hope you can find it in your spirit to say, “Merry Christmas!”

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What is it you need prayers for on Christmas day?