Bumps in the Road

Luke 2:1-5 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

As we were reflecting on the Christmas story this year we were drawn to the journey that Mary & Joseph had to make. It seems that the journey was not at all smooth and easy. As a matter of fact the text even said they went “up!” (Do you remember those stories your daddy told about walking to school in the snow uphill both ways? J) There were many obstacles, not the least of which was the fact that Mary was very pregnant—not a good time to go on an 80-mile hike! There were rough spots on the road, it was dirty, and the days may have been hot and the nights were probably cold. They had to make the trip because the oppressive occupying force, Rome, wanted to count everyone and Joseph knew what that meant—higher taxes! To top it all off, when they finally arrived in Bethlehem there was nowhere for them to stay. In spite of all this frustration and hardship was the hope Mary carried in her womb, the little baby that had to be laid in a feeding trough—Jesus.

We currently live in a world where folks all over are experiencing “bumps in the road.” Sadness and despair are all around us. But the hope Marry carried in her womb was born, lived, died, and, in victory, rose to life again. That hope is what Advent is all about. When you hit a bump in your road, cling to Hope. Know that God has done, is doing, and will do the seemingly impossible just because he loves us! And the incarnation (God coming to earth as Jesus) is proof of that incredible love. Remember that “Emmanuel” means “God is with us!” And if God is with us, who or what can be against us? Have a blessed Advent season and a wonderful Christmas time!

In the love of Christ,
Pastors Kevin and Stephanie White