It has been six months since I stopped writing these daily devotions during our journey through the 2020 pandemic. The last one was on June 14 and was number 91. Since we have continued to deal with COVID-19 through the summer and fall months, I feel my devotional writing is unfinished business nagging me for completion. So, let's close out the remainder of the year together and start 2021 with the 100th devotion. In these nine meditations, we will focus on the wonder of Christmas as revealed in Luke 2:1-20.
Passage to Ponder: Luke 2:1-20
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 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 along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. -Luke 2:1-5 (NASB)
So, you think you had a difficult year in 2020? As the old saying goes, “If you think you have it bad, remember there’s always someone who has it worse than you!” That adage would have been true in the days of the first Christmas. While many people were struggling, they could have looked at young Mary and Joseph and said, “Wow! I’m glad I’m not one of those two!” When you read the first five verses of Luke 2, words such as “hardship,” “challenging,” “difficulties,” and “trials” come to mind. Two poor people are facing an unexpected pregnancy, a crazy government command to travel in the ninth month of pregnancy just so they could get counted to pay a tax they could little afford.
And here they are…on the rocky road to Bethlehem because forces beyond their control require it. There was no logical argument that would change the bureaucratic conundrum. Life was blowing hard against them like a slow-moving hurricane. Yes, when I read these words from Luke’s Gospel, my heart breaks for Mary and Joseph as they head down the bumpy southern road. The Bible doesn’t tell us if Mary rode a donkey, rode in a wagon, or walked. But whatever the mode of travel, it was slow and torturous. But aren’t you glad Mary and Joseph had to go on the trek to Bethlehem?
The trip may have seemed like too much of an inconvenience. After all, didn’t this unplanned travel result in Jesus being born in an animal stall? However, we have the blessing of hindsight to see that God was fulfilling the prophecy: The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-5). Do you see how this may apply to you? Is it possible that God is orchestrating the events of your life and those you love to bring about His purposes in this world? Could the current hardships you endure be designed to bring Him glory? God loves you just as much as He loves Mary and Joseph! If He can use Mary and Joseph to change the world, He can surely use you in mighty ways!
Love,
Pastor Larry
Pastor Larry
(This is from a series of devotionals written during our time of restricted meetings and activities due to the coronavirus.)
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