I was reading from
“One Incredible Moment” this morning. One of the first chapters is about Joseph
and what he must have been thinking that first Christmas.
He had come to
terms with Mary’s pregnancy by the Holy Spirit. He was probably thinking that
the messiah would be born in the temple at Jerusalem with family and friends
gathered around along with the high priests and much joyous celebration. At the
very least, the baby could have been born in Nazareth where Joseph had a house
and his work shop.
Instead, he had to
take his pregnant young wife on a journey to Bethlehem with her bouncing down
the road on the back of a donkey. Once there he could not find her a room or
even a warm bed for the night. All he found for them was a manger - all he had
for her to lie on was the blanket from the donkeys back and the manger filled
with animals for warmth. None of Mary’s family or friends was present, no
midwife to help with the birth - he did not have much to offer her, but she did
not complain. They had to have a lot of faith in God.
The only guests
they had that first Christmas night were poor shepherds from the fields. I
would assume they did get to hear the chorus of angels that had sung to the
shepherds, but we don’t even know that for sure.
So, the savior of
the world slips almost unnoticed into the world with a confused stepfather
wondering how God’s plan was going to work out. Joseph
had a lot of faith, but he also had to have a few questions about this journey
the Holy Family had just begun.
God Bless each of
you, and have a Blessed and Joy Filled Advent Season!
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