As we enter this Christmas season, I want to share three timely reflections with you – one on Return America’s legislative victories for safety and justice in North Carolina – one with a Christmas theme about the sevenfold wisdom we find in Joseph beside the manger – and one unusual story about a drunken raccoon that reminds us why sobriety and clarity matter now more than ever. I pray each piece strengthens your faith and sharpens your discernment with “Truth for our Times.”

Legislative Update: Two Major Policy Wins for Safety and Justice in North Carolina

This week brought significant victories in Return America’s ongoing efforts to defend life, strengthen justice, and uphold biblical foundations in North Carolina’s public policy. Two major bills – HB 193, expanding protections for Christian schools and churches, and HB 307, known as Iryna’s Law – took effect on Monday of this week, December 1. Both measures represent much prayer, advocacy, and perseverance, and together they mark a turning point for safety, accountability, and moral clarity in our state. In this update, I walk you through what these new laws accomplish and why they matter. These gains do not belong to legislators alone – they belong to every believer who prayed, engaged, and supported this work.

Seven Timeless Truths Found in Joseph, the Man Beside the Manger

Scripture paints Joseph, the husband of Mary, as a man in the shadows – quiet, steady, and easily overlooked. Yet when we linger over his life, we discover something remarkable: seven timeless truths that rise from his obedience and humility like a complete portrait of godly character. The number seven, of course, is no coincidence. Throughout the Bible, seven represents fullness, completion – a pattern reflected time and again in the “sevens” I’ve written about over the years:

Seven False Gods of the Present Age

Seven Hinderances to Answered Prayer

Perhaps one day I can compile these into a book.

This week, however, we turn our attention to Joseph, whose silent faithfulness speaks volumes. His life offers a sevenfold lesson in righteousness, humility, and obedience at Christmastime.

A Raccoon, a Liquor Store, and a Holiday Warning

Some stories are so bizarre they almost preach themselves, and this week’s headlines provided one. A raccoon in Virginia broke into a liquor store, downed enough alcohol to pass out on the bathroom floor, and became a furry parable for the holiday season. The humor is undeniable, but beneath the laughter lies a sobering truth: while a drunken raccoon may be amusing, drunkenness in people is anything but funny. With Christmas and New Year’s approaching, seasons already filled with elevated drinking, impaired driving, and heartbreaking consequences, this strange event gives us the perfect moment to talk candidly about alcohol, temptation, and the wisdom of abstinence. This article uses humor to open the door…but leads to a serious, heartfelt call to choose clarity, safety, and the peace Christ gives.

Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect. Whether considering our state’s policies, the quiet greatness of Joseph, or the call to walk in clarity during the holidays, may these truths guide us to live wisely, courageously, and faithfully to Christ. May His peace and presence be yours in abundance this Christmas season.

An Urgent Call from Dr. Ron Baity, President of Return America.

If you live within driving distance of the Randolph County Courthouse, Dr. Ron Baity, President of Return America, is asking concerned Christians to make every effort to attend the Randolph County Commissioners Meeting on Monday night, December 8, at 6 PM. The commissioners are taking a bold and courageous stand by moving to dismiss and replace the entire library board that allowed inappropriate books in the children’s section of our public libraries.

This is a rare display of moral clarity in our day, and they need strong, visible support from the Christian community.

Dr. Baity is urging churches to bring a busload – or at least a vanload – of people. If you can’t get a crowd, please show up on your own. A large turnout will send an unmistakable message that believers stand firmly with leaders who are willing to protect children and uphold righteousness. If you can, please plan to arrive one hour early.

These commissioners are standing for truth and against the influence of evil. Churches that are concerned about the promotion of perverse materials to minors should encourage their people to attend and be a source of strength and encouragement to these courageous leaders.

Picture: Rev. Mark H. Creech, D.H.L., is a veteran pastor and public policy advocate whose ministry spans more than 45 years of preaching, teaching, and defending biblical truth in the public square. He now serves as Director of Government Relations for Return America and writes weekly at RevMarkCreech.org.

If you’ve found this week’s insights helpful, would you prayerfully consider forwarding this email to a friend, pastor, or family member? Everything here is free of charge, rooted in a solid Christian worldview, and meant to equip believers to think and act biblically about the issues of our day. Your sharing helps multiply the impact of these messages far beyond what I could reach alone – at no cost, but of priceless eternal value. Thank you for helping spread the Gospel truth!