December 15, 2008

What a Time for a Trip!

Luke 2:1-7

Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem …
Luke 2:4

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Let’s imagine what it might have been like for Mary as she prepared for this trip.

“Oh, Joseph, I’m not looking forward to our journey. I’m just about to deliver this child—this baby from God! What if something goes wrong along the way? We’ll be so far from my mom and our family and the room you built onto your father’s house. We’ll be far from everything that we know! Will there be anyone in Bethlehem to help us? Where will we stay? What will we eat?

“Do you really think it will take us about four days to walk there? Won’t it take us much longer, since I can’t go very fast? I get tired just walking to the well and back. If we don’t have a donkey to ride, we’ll have to stop and rest a lot, okay? Are you listening to me?

“Oh! The baby just kicked me again. I can’t wait to see him! I try to imagine what he will look like. Do you do that too? What a miracle to have such a baby inside me!

“Joseph? Listen, if I don’t make it after the baby is born, I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through since hearing about this child. But to have you here, with me, means so much. I don’t think I could do this without you.

“Oh, Joseph, God is so good! I love the Lord! My spirit … my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

“Yours too?”

Thank you for Mary, dear God. Thank you for Joseph too. Thank you for all of your servants, those who served you then and those who serve you now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About the author — David Den Haan

Pastor Dave Den Haan has served at Fairway Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan, since 1999. Previously he served a church in Minnesota. Dave and his wife, Connie, have three children.

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