Luke 2:3-5 “Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration. And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David’s ancient home—journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.” n
nI must have read the Christmas story a thousand time over the years from childhood till today. Every time I read it I find comfort and always a point of view I had not seen before. This fall St. John’s has been preparing for a new beginning, renewal and addition to two of our buildings. We have begun “The Walk” to a promise of God’s blessings. I imagine that Joseph and Mary had to prepare for their journey to Bethlehem, not easy for Mary so pregnant and unsure of what was to happen as any new mother would be. Joseph also had his share of nerves and concern for himself and Mary. Yet they stepped out in faith to travel a road full of uncertainty and hardship. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem has a variety of terrain surfaces, flat lands, desolate tracts, along with Hills!! So they prepared to take on whatever they needed to in order to arrive at their destination.
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nMary packed food, utensils, water or drink, bedding and items they might need along the way. Joseph I imagine took care of the donkey, money needed and shelter. So as any journey it began with the first step. We do not know what or if anything happened to them on the journey all we know is they arrived to find themselves in a desperate situation. They need a place to stay and Mary is about to give birth!!!
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nIn today’s world we might say that these people are young and not so smart! Who would leave on such a journey and not have reservations when they arrive!!!!! Did not Joseph write ahead to tell his family they were coming? Why did they wait so long to leave for Bethlehem? Why didn’t her mother go with her to help her? The hundreds of questions we would ask today are not asked in the Christmas story. Why? Could it be that Mary and Joseph had faith? Did they trust God more than we do? Is the story just that—a story? No, I don’t think so. I believe this story brings to light all that God promises us. The journey of unknown happenings, failure to plan and unexpected events is there to show us that God is always faithful, God will always provide and God’s ultimate desire is for we his children to obey his will so that He may gift us with abundant graces.
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nSo family of St. John’s, we have begun the faithful journey of stepping out in grace listening for God’s Call to His Children. He calls us to come to Bethlehem so that I may gift you with my Love! We know not what will happen along the way and we may be fearful and unsure of our journey but we will trust God that his Love and Mercy will lead us to a place with a Star and a manger shedding light to the world and hope to those in need of His presence and Love! May we continue to find strength as we “Walk” in the Light of God?
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nPrayer: Loving and gracious God, we ask you to be our beacon of Light, lead us on our path so that where ever we arrive you are there with us guiding our thoughts, our hands and mostly our Hearts to be like yours. Help us this season of Advent to reach out to others and to share your word with them. Give us the strength to be a flicker of you light in our home, church and community this Holy season, And all God’s Children Say AMEN.
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nLorri McGuire
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