Bethlehem

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7 ESV). Yesterday we looked at this same text. It struck me as I was reading it again that we have not said very much about Bethlehem. As the crow flies, it was a journey of approximately 60 miles, though traveling over hills, through villages and around rivers would likely have made the trip longer. Christmas pictures always show Mary riding a donkey but we really have no idea of their mode of travel. Whether on foot or on the back of a swaying brown animal, it wasn’t an easy journey, especially for a woman nearing the end of her first pregnancy. We know why she had to leave the comfort of her home and family. The government had decreed a census and that everyone must go to one’s “own city,” the place their families called home, for this official registration and counting. But Mary and Joseph knew they were going far from family and into a city whose streets would be clogged with traveling strangers. They were assured of no warm welcome, no cozy place to birth the expected child. Perhaps they hoped for a small house or a distant relative or a way for Joseph to earn money for their keep, but in almost every way, they were traveling into the unknown. The journey was long and hard, the destination uncertain. Nearly nine months before their arrival in Bethlehem, Mary spoke life-changing words to God, words that were to comfort her in the many uncertain years ahead. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” With those simple words of faith, she could endure the long journey on the back of a donkey, the cold streets of Bethlehem, the staring faces of strangers, and even the crude stable with its straw-lined manger. We all have our own Bethlehem. That is the place we find ourselves after a long path. Often the people are uncaring, the circumstances difficult, and the burden heavy. May I suggest if this is the place you find yourself, you can find comfort and rest in the Christ who was born in that place so many centuries ago. We’re going to spend a lot of time in the coming days looking at the meaning of Christmas. We’ll look at various traditions and practices, however, the real key is found in the baby. Jesus is all that we need, whenever we need! Trust Him!