Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain salvation upon you. (Hosea 10:12)

The love of God is a steadfast love that lived in eternity but emerged onto a human being the moment that Adam walked on earth. It was God’s love that would be made very clear in some in some ages, and less clear in the times when the objects of His love had turned away.

The prophet Hosea urges his people to sow righteousness by drawing close to their God, by obeying His laws and instructions, by turning their attention and obedience to Him. A few were able to do that, but the nation fell short of those who would experience the fruit of steadfast love.

At the beginning of the first century, at least two individuals responded to Hosea’s call to sow righteousness. The young woman, at first perplexed and even afraid by a visit from the angel Gabriel, was told, Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:29) Instead of turning away, Mary listened as the angel told her of God’s plan to give her a son and that he would be God’s son as well. Mary’s simple response, I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled,” (Luke 1:38 ) revealed one soul who truly sowed righteousness. The other righteous sower was the man Joseph, to whom Mary was engaged: After he had considered divorcing Mary, 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 of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:2) These two people unconsciously and personally responded to the call of God in a private way that sowed righteousness in their own lives . Mary and Joseph “broke up their fallow ground,” and in spite of inconvenience or difficulties, accepted God’s plan for their lives. For them, Christmas was living their lives in the consciousness of God’s presence in a stable, in their trip to Egypt, and in their home in Nazareth. They daily lived with the fruit of steadfast love in their home. The real steadfast love is that very love which entered the world and has never left. At Christmas we see it in the infant Jesus who grew and died to rain salvation upon even us.

Love in Him,

Prue