Shortgrass
Well-known member
Good Sunday Mornin.' Christmas is upon us. I'm expect you, like we may be ready for it to be over even if you don't feel ready for the holiday. Maybe some things have not gone as planned, and you are scurrying about trying to compensate. I wonder about the young couple that was to be parents of the Christ child. Mary had willing accepted Gods call on her life. I sure after 6 months at Elizabeth's home and returning home showing child that tongues were wagging. She would have been receiving harsh criticism, all because she had found "favor" with God. How comforting it must have been for her, to at least, have Joseph's loyal support. Then a 90 mile journey to Bethlehem was mandated by the government. It would be tough trip for this young woman who is 8 ½ to 9 months pregnant. Greyhound had not been invented, so they walked. She walked until she couldn't walk further, then switched back to riding the donkey until she couldn't ride further, then rested until she mustered up enough strength to carry on (is this really God's favor?). Young Joseph would be trying hard as he could to make it as easy as possible for the love of his life (when and where should they spend the night?). What a welcome sight Bethlehem must have been. Possibly this young couple was aware that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, and felt God would surely have a place picked out for them to deliver. He did. I doubt it was what Mary had anticipated. Even at best, a stable would be very unsanitary to deliver a child in. It was a filthy place for the birth of a God's son. Their stable was probably a cave for animal's shelter with a layer of dung on the floor. I wonder if Mary and Joseph questioned why God would treat his son like that. It would get much worse, as we now know; He would be immersed in the filth of our sin. It was simply because God loves you and I. I wonder if Mary had any help, or if it was just she and Joseph. Had they felt "ready" for the first Christmas? They must have felt some confusion, loneliness, or maybe even like it was a bad day for them. Maybe they wondered if God had sort of dropped the ball, or if they had missed a sign and were out of His will. Then in comes the shepherds, rejoicing, with their story. That must have been exciting. I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt at peace or comforted. It doesn't say. It simply says Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart. I expect I would do well to once again ponder these events in my heart. I know some days don't go as I planned, but He is still right on in His plan. Well, have a merry Christmas and 2019.