• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Christmas • Musings  >  The Other Joseph. My 2022 Christmas Reflection
ChristmasMusings

The Other Joseph. My 2022 Christmas Reflection

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 24, 2022December 25, 2022 19 Comments

Although I am not a theologian or pastor, I like to offer an annual Christmas reflection. This year, I want to weave together two biblical stories that touch on travel but also on one of our deepest human needs, that of our purpose here…and our control over it.

2022 Christmas Reflection

You may have heard this half-truth from popular preachers: God wants you to live your best life now. In reality, there is a degree of truth in that when we live in communion with God, we do live our best life. But the idea that God wants to bless you materially if you will only trust in Him (and support the pastor…) is heresy. I’ve seen the fruit of that heresy recently in Kenya and South Africa and we see it in the West as well. Such apostasy represents a grave threat to mankind. Part of that heresy is the idea that it is up to us to shape our destiny; that God wants to bless us, but we have to earn it through hard work or even faith.

“I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” -William Ernest Henley  

Not really. Not at all, actually, in the broad scheme of life.

It is important to exercise discernment in the information we consume. Sometimes travel bloggers sound like crooked ministers. There’s a certain danger among influencers who peddle the lie that travel is free or far more perniciously, sell you on a lifestyle that is actually not real. My wife and I recently watched an HBO documentary entitled Fake Famous. It does an excellent job of showcasing the deception of influencers and making clear that so much of what happens in life is not due to hard work or good looks or shrewdness, but because of algorithms, fate, or perhaps divine providence beyond our control.

*     *     *

Today, let’s think back to Joseph. Not Joseph the husband of Mary in the Christmas story, but Joseph the dreamer as chronicled in the book of Genesis of the Hebrew Bible.

When you think about living your best life now, Joe was living it. He was the favored child, even given a coat signifying authority (at Sunday school we were taught that he had a coat of many colors, which makes me picture a pride flag draped around his neck, but that is debated…what we do know is that the coat was likely ornamental in nature and a sign of a ruler). His father Jacob sent him to spy on his older brothers and bring back reports on what they were doing wrong. While he enjoyed life in the house and the favor of his father, his brothers labored in the fields and grew to despise him.

Filled with envy, his brothers hatched a plan to kill him, throwing him into a pit while they decided how best to do it. A caravan heading to Egypt rolled by and Joseph was sold instead; an act of mercy to be sold into slavery. Joseph landed in the house of Potiphar, a high-ranking official in Pharaoh’s court, and was soon put to work overseeing his house.

But Joseph, a strapping young man described as “handsome in form and appearance,” caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. She tried to seduce him several times. He resisted. Finally, she lied, claiming he tried to rape her. Now Potiphar could have killed him under Egyptian law for this offense but jailed him instead (suggesting he did not quite believe his wife…).

In jail, Joseph met two men who worked for Pharaoh. They both had dreams, which Joseph was able to interpret. In short, the cupbearer would live and the baker would die. Joseph told the cupbearer to remember him before Pharaoh, insisting he did no wrong.

Like a good friend, the cupbearer totally forgot about Joe and two years went by. Then one night Pharaoh had a dream that he could not decipher. The cupbearer remembered Joseph, he was brought to Pharaoh, and interpreted the dream: seven years of bounty were coming, followed by seven years of famine.

Recognizing his business acumen, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge. Over the next seven years, Egypt aggressively built up a stockpile of grain in preparation for the famine. When the famine did come, Egypt was well-prepared to insulate itself and sell food to neighboring peoples, increasing its wealth and stature.

During the famine, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They came before him, bowed down to him, and did not even recognize him. But Joseph recognized them. And instead of exacting revenge, he wept…and forgave them.

Hard to say Joe was living his best life now, right? Despised by his brothers, he was stripped and sold into slavery. In Egypt, he was falsely accused of a crime he did not commit and thrown in jail. There, he languished for years. Through it all, he must have been asking what he did wrong. The answer was he did nothing wrong to deserve the injustices perpetrated against him.

And yet through his unlikely path, we reach my favorite verse in the entire Bible, a statement from Joseph to his brothers:

“You intended it for evil, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20

Through Joseph, the world was saved. And by preserving his brothers, Judah in particular, Joseph preserved the bloodline that would eventually lead to Jesus.

Joseph points to Jesus of Nazareth; he points to a greater Christ (anointed one). Joseph was not the only Shepard who was beloved by his father. He was not the only child taken into Egypt or rejected by his brothers. He was not the only one who was tempted but did not fail; who was falsely accused and stood between two others, one who would live and one who would die. Joseph was not the only man of compassion who served those who betrayed him through the washing of feet and breaking of bread. Most importantly, Joseph was not the only one sent so that humanity could be saved. But unlike Joseph who was a mere shadow of Christ, the real Christ came not just to save the world from physical hunger, but to satisfy our greatest hunger of all: our purpose and meaning and hope in life that we cannot find in ourselves or our endeavors. Put another way, Jesus came to save us from our sins and make us realize that we are unworthy but God is worthy.

I do believe in a sovereign God who is working out all things according to His plan. It often does not make sense (indeed, it often makes God appear distant or disinterested) and it is often frustrating. But over time we see that God works things together for good for those and through those who love Him. Joseph was a tool in the hands of God. Great things were accomplished through him and yet nothing went according to his plans for life.

This Christmas, realize that the point is not about realizing our dreams or working hard so that we can rack up the treasures we think will satisfy us. Work does not set us free…but God does through Christ. Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden light. While God’s sovereignty does not release us from our great responsibility to love God and love our neighbor, we need not flatter ourselves that our life is sovereignly under our control and ours to win or lose. An honest introspection should reveal that life is indeed more than a byproduct of our sweat and tears or our hopes and dreams. Like Joseph, our ultimate story is really not about us. It’s God’s story. That’s actually quite a relief.

From my family to yours, I wish you a very happy Christmas and look forward to returning to our regularly scheduled programming on Monday.


image: Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife by Francesco Trevisani (1710)

Previous Article Southwest Airlines Suffers Meltdown In Denver
Next Article Merry Christmas From LiveAndLetsFly, Kyle, And Matthew

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Defense of Buttigieg

    In Defense Of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg

    February 27, 2023
  • Privilege Sheraton

    Checking My Privilege At The Sheraton Door

    January 11, 2023
  • My COVID Christmas Redux…

    December 26, 2022

19 Comments

  1. Z o Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 4:19 pm

    Neither my faith nor my belief system, but a lovely post full of heart. Merry Xmas!

  2. Tim Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    Matthew, a very touching yet educational post! Thank you for your words. May you and your lovely family be blessed with a merry Christmas and the best of God‘s gifts for the next year!

  3. DaninMCI Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    Matthew, it is refreshing to read your thoughts on these biblical truths. Have a blessed and merry Christmas.

  4. Santastico Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!

  5. Robert Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    Very nicely written description of the story and of our part in things. We do belong to the greater but I also firmly believe that we can exercise our agency to do good things that are in line with what God expects of and hopes for us then we will, eventually, reap a reward. Many, including Joseph, waited a very long time. Many might have to wait for a reward after this life. But those rewards will come. My mortal brain has no idea how it’s possible but I have faith that every single one of us can be eligible to receive all that the Father hath. But just a part of it but all of it.

    What a wonderful time of year to celebrate what we can become. Thank you for sharing your feelings. Have a very Merry Christmas!

  6. Michael Whelan Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    This is beautiful!!! Thanks Matthew!!

  7. Joe Chivas Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 9:19 pm

    My favorite Christmas film is Scrooge. I have never seen a more accurate portrayal of the typical white cishet man in all his evil. I thoroughly enjoy Ebeneezer’s misery as he is confronted by his own bigotry and find it quite satisfying watching him turn completely mad in the end.

  8. jfhscott Reply
    December 24, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    Thank you and a blessed and merry Christmas to you and your family.

    “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:8-10.

    Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise.

  9. Nick Reply
    December 25, 2022 at 2:29 am

    Amen! And a merry Christmas to you and yours

  10. PM Reply
    December 25, 2022 at 4:52 am

    Happy Christmas everyone! I am definitely not a believer, but I hugely enjoy these reflections of yours, Matthew.

    For a secular (and statistically robust!) debunking of the fallacy that ‘hard work’, or even extraordinarily high levels of intelligence, is a key determinant in personal success, I would urge people to read Taleb’s Fooled By Randomness (if you really can’t stand maths and statistics, Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Outliers’ take a more easy going approach through case studies). Of course, what I would consider to be randomness/merely ‘being in the right place at the right time’, for others may be the result of divine provenance!

    In my view, and without having any theological credentials whatsoever, the so-called ‘Protestant work ethic’ is based on a fundamental misinterpretation of the Christian dogma. Far from being a purely religious matter, it almost inevitably leads to attitudes such as ‘destitute/sick/mentally ill people are 100% personally responsible for their plight’ which can readily translate into toxic politics, demonising anyone and everyone who has ever needed any state support and, of course, causing a knee-jerk reaction in others that often manifests itself in support for actual socialism.

    • PM Reply
      December 25, 2022 at 4:56 am

      Providence not provenance!

    • PolishKnight Reply
      December 26, 2022 at 1:29 pm

      I’ll second that in that I find his observations witty and insightful, even if I don’t fully agree with them (or you) and an interesting comparison to what this blog is normally (in my view) seemingly about: The definition of a First World Problem: Is the complimentary cup of tea in business class served in a proper mug instead of a cup? Is a first class seat from CLE-LAX during a daylight flight proper lie flat? I, myself, rarely upgrade to higher class nor travel as much due to my personal situation, but I enjoy reading the stories and observations.

  11. docntx Reply
    December 25, 2022 at 5:50 am

    Wonderful interpretation and wonderful comments. Thanks to all!
    This is the medium at its best.
    There is disagreement, yet a leitmotiv of understanding.

  12. Steve Reply
    December 25, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    It is a good and useful story. IMO there’s exactly zero chance that there is a god, but the mythology of religions continues to serve a useful purpose -exerting some mass control and creating at least some civil structure – even if fear based – so that our human universe doesn’t descend into Mad Max anarchy. So for that I’m grateful.

    Also grateful for the flexibility that Southwest and now United show in canceling points bookings and restoring points, but that’s another post.

  13. A Reply
    December 25, 2022 at 4:51 pm

    I have different religious beliefs than you do, but I appreciate the sentiment of this post. Frohe Weihnachten / Merry Christmas!

  14. Junebug Reply
    December 25, 2022 at 5:34 pm

    Thanks for this the world needs to hear this more often
    We can not work hard enough for our salvation, yet when we become saved we want to work for Gods’ Kingdom

  15. whocares Reply
    December 25, 2022 at 9:01 pm

    …and then you find out Jesus’ real birthday was on _____________

    the exact same day as a certain event about 20 years ago….but few bother to really research. most prefer fairy tales…

    that warning is about to come true…not many years to go…

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      December 25, 2022 at 9:01 pm

      What are you talking about? The theory that Jesus was born on 11 September in 3 BC?

      Of course, we celebrate Xmas on 12/25 because the early Christians wanted to take part in Saturnalia without calling it that.

      The main point of Christmas is not chronology but theology.

  16. ValTN Reply
    December 29, 2022 at 2:03 pm

    A highly commendable devotional reflection! It is hard to believe that Matthew is not a theologian But then every true believer is a “theologian” in that we have been exhorted to “be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.” This timely reflection of the life of Joseph is faithful to the scripture, and one not to be ashamed of before God. It is clear that Matthew has invested significant effort toward studying and meditating on the scriptures, and worked at succinctly summarizing the life of Joseph, a “type of Christ” as revealed in the Bible. I am not sure how he manages to switch contexts in the midst of prolific blog posts. Thank you Matthew, and well done!

    The Sovereignty of God in Redemption is a recurring theme that cuts across the various acts in the life story of Joseph. It is also true in our lives. God could have chosen an army of ravens to feed His chosen. Or simply, their pantries could have been replenished or the heavens opened every day by His divine command. But God chose a type of Christ and the ruler of Egypt to preserve His people. During the course of events, His people and Egypt were preserved while Pharaoh accumulated wealth that eventually came to naught. We know the rest of the story … and the door of redemption is still open for all.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Waldo Delta LAX
    “Where’s Waldo?” Jumps Out Of Delta 737-800 At LAX, Scoots Down Exit Slide March 27, 2023
  • Hilton Frankfurt Airport Review
    Review: Hilton Frankfurt Airport March 27, 2023
  • Thai entry requirements
    Thailand Entry Requirements: Updated Website March 26, 2023
  • Tin Building close up
    Review: Tin Building by Jean-Georges (New York City) March 26, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Kayleigh Scott United Airlines
    The Tragic Death Of A United Airlines Flight Attendant March 21, 2023
  • United Airlines Domestic First Class Menu
    United Airlines Refreshes Domestic First Class Menu February 28, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Wife Slap
    Enraged Husband Attacks Man On Southwest Airlines Flight After He Bumps Wife March 8, 2023
  • United Polaris Lounge LAX Review
    Review: United Airlines Polaris Lounge Los Angeles (LAX) March 24, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.