Anticipating in His Word 12-18-17
This week a friend reminded me of what it must have been
like for Mary and Joseph the days before they had Jesus. I was thinking of how
in the week we are in now they were traveling across country; by foot!
Imagine for a moment…
You are walking along with them. Mary is ‘great with child’;
she was ready to pop! She couldn’t do any of the nesting, or anything we would
do today and the idea of resting? That was done on her donkey, or so we are
told.
“Joseph, how much longer until we get a room? Are we almost
to the Inn? This baby is ready to be born.” Mary quietly speaks to her husband
as he helps her up on the donkey to rest her weary legs and feet.
“Oh, its not long now. Do you see the lander lights over
there?” he points to a spot between rolling hills in the not too far distance. “I
believe that is it. I am sorry that this wretched King made us go to be counted
during your time of delivery. Of course, nothing else has been the normal way
for us is it my dear.” Joseph smiles and grasps her hand giving it a squeeze.
The caravan begins moving again toward the lights.
Arriving in the town of Bethlehem they began searching for a
place to stay. Normally it would not matter to stay outside in a tent but with
the baby coming they would need someplace out of the elements.
“I’m sorry Mary they have no room here either.” Joseph felt horrible
each time he heard the words “No Room”. That last place he even asked to stay
in the common area just so that Mary could have a place to birth her child. “I
hoped that Jehovah would provide for us but as of yet it is not so.”
“You would think He would have a place for His son. He will
provide.” Mary spoke as encouraging as she could sound with the contractions
coming closer and closer. She knew it was not long now.
“Sir!” A young man came running out of the Inn. ” We may
have a place for you, but its in the place with the animals. It has hay to rest
on at least for your wife?”
“Thank you so much! She is about to give birth! Please show us
the way?” Joseph was elated! His wife would at least have a place to rest for
the night. “Mary! Mary! We have a place for you to rest my love! Come let me
help you. Keep an open mind, its not at the Inn but it is inside the stables."
He
looked at her with concern as she grimaced. He had heard women give birth near by in
the village at home, but this was different; he was in love with this woman,
his wife. The wife he married and whom was about to give birth to a baby that
was straight from God. Talk about a miracle child, though it was not his child
Joseph was eager to meet the little one who has shared his life since before
they were even married. Soon, he could hear Mary cry out in pain even as they
walked her to the pile of hay. He lay his blanket down for her and made it comfortable as possible.
“Rest my love. You need your strength.” Joseph told her as he began storing their things around her in the stall. What did he know about birthing?
“Send for one of the women I need someone.” She asked her husband
as she knew that her son Jesus was about to be born.
“Joseph!” He reached for her hand as the baby was born. Not
exactly where she planned, but it was Jehovah’s plan.
She had him cleaned and wrapped in the swaddling clothes she
had brought with her and they lay him beside her in the manger. He was
beautiful. God’s son. She smiled at Him and then at Joseph who was right there
with them.
The three were ready to sleep when some shepherds arrived.
They told them of Angels that came to tell them of this child of God who would
be their Savior! They bowed down to Him, this little child was treated as a
king. Her son. God’s son. How could it be so? Yet it was, just as they were
told. He was beautiful.
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a
census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This
was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All
returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And
because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in
Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in
Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was
engaged, who was now expecting a child.6 And while they were there, the time
came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her
firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a
manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7
So much more happened of course during the Christ child’s
first few years and yet, what we know is in three years’ time he would be
visited by the three wise kings who brought him gifts. He would be taken away
from the place he was staying, in a house by then, to another place that would
be safe for him to grow up.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to
them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.52 Jesus
grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Luke
2:51-52
Such a humble beginning for a God to born as a man, but such
a great ending; or continuance that saved us from our sins; if only we believe.
I don’t believe in Santa Claus, I believe in Jesus. When I
see the words ‘Believe’ on t shirts and posters at this time of the year I
anticipate the coming of my King and Lord Jesus. I believe He is coming soon!
Dear Heavenly Father, let us live in anticipation of the day
when Jesus returns. Help us to live a life worthy of such a blessing as You
have given us with our redemptive Salvation.
In Jesus name, amen.
Suggested reading: Luke 2- the full chapter.