Merry Christmas Eve

Luke 2:1,4-7 AMP
“Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be registered [in a census].  So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,  in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. 

While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth,  and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.”

It’s amazing to me that most people picture Mary as this fair skinned frail girl, that all the sudden was thrust onto a donkey while pregnant, and barely made a 3-5 day trip to Bethlem with her betrothed husband. Mary was a poor Jewish girl that knew how to work. Yes this trip was daunting because she was with child, I think she managed quite well.

In her first trimester she had already taken a long trip to see Elizabeth and back home a couple of months later. This was a approximately an 80 mile trip to Bethlehem and is was a rough and rugged terrain, but God chose Mary and Joseph for the task. He knew their resolve, their stamina and their trust in Him.

Joseph could not find lodging for Mary, but he improvised. Imagine asking some women to have their baby born in a barn or a cave, whatever it was I’m sure Mary did not complain, I’m sure she made the best out of the situation. God chose her for a reason.

I have offered many different views of the Christmas story this season, but the questions that I would really like to know the answer to: When Mary first held the Baby Jesus and she looked into His eyes, What did she see? What did she feel holding the Great I Am?

Prayer:
Father, here am I, use me in whatever way you choose. You know best my strength and my character and my trust in You! I pray, I will learn to go with whatever You give me to do, like the blessed Mary!