LaRyssa D. Herrington

In the Shadow of Freedom: The Enduring Call for Racial Justice Alessandra Harris 304 pages; Orbis Books $35.00 For many Americans, July Fourth is a day of celebration marked by fireworks, parades, barbecues, fairs, baseball games and various political ceremonies offered in remembrance of the country's declaration of sovereignty from British colonial rule.

Over the past several months, the governor of Texas and other federal agencies have stepped up their efforts to address the increase in U.S. border crossings by Central and South American migrants. These efforts included the installation of razor-wire barriers between floating buoys in the Rio Grande, a measure that cost more than a billion dollars; arresting migrants on trespassing charges; and busing them to Democrat-led cities.

God often chooses those who are most despised and marginalised to bear the gospel’s prophetic message. Will they think I’m a whore? Will they call him a bastard? Will we be killed? I often wonder if these were the thoughts that ran through the mind of Mary, a terrified teenage girl, after accepting the wildly unbelievable invitation to carry the messiah. What did the angel mean by “full of grace”? Is Joseph going to leave? What if no one believes me?