Series: Advent
Luke 2:1-7 ESV
Micah 5:2 ESV
I Timothy 6:17-19 ESV
When I was in junior high school “me da” gave me a series of lessons on being rich. The result of those lessons has been that I do no seek monetary gain. That’s a good thing because being ministry in farming communities was not about the salary or having a big new house.
We always had enough.
I prayed and God provided.
I came to realize that no matter what the situation was, when I turn to God and wait, God does provide.
Luke 2:1-7 is a great example. We are told in scripture, “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.”
I have to admit that every time I read this passage I am amazed at Mary and Joseph’s reliance on God.
First, because Caesar Augustus decreed it, Mary and Joseph had to make the long trek from Nazareth to Jerusalem to be counted for the census. There was no exemption option available just because Mary was expecting a child.
There trip would have taken about 30-35 hours on foot. Since Joseph was of the house and lineage of Judah they had to go to Bethlehem to be counted.
Micah 5:2 says, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
So let’s be clear on this…she was nine months pregnant and she had to either walk or ride a donkey for probably three days (if they stopped to sleep). That would have meant they walked or rode the donkey (not an easy feat for a woman who was nine months pregnant) for ten hours a day for three straight days.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough when they arrived in Bethlehem they couldn’t get a room in the Inn. It didn’t matter that Mary was nine months pregnant.
So, they ended up having to stay in a stinky (possibly rodent infested) stable with the animals. Remember that more than likely no one regularly cleaned out the stalls where the animals were kept.
In today’s world giving birth to a child in those conditions would be considered to be deplorable.
We notice there is no mention of the harsh conditions in scripture. Even though giving birth at that time was nothing like giving birth today, scripture makes the birth of Jesus sound like it was a wonderful perfect event.
It was.
In Mary and Joseph’s mind it seems like they were grateful to have a private place where they had a roof over their head.
Mary and Joseph were relying on God, and God provided.
They had all they needed.
They relied on God to provide everything they needed.
Mary and Joseph were surrounded by God’s love and protection and that was all they needed.
In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 he wrote, ”As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
True life is not found in perfect living conditions or hospital care.
True life is not found in coins or bills.
True life is found through God and Jesus came to provide the way.
Every time I think about needing or wanting “more” I remind myself when I had my children I was in a hospital.
I had great doctors.
It was clean.
There were no donkeys, camels, or rats there when I gave birth.
God was there because I invited Him in. I am ever so grateful that God was there.
Spiritual Practice: Be Grateful
Think of a time when God provided a way out of a difficult situation for you and be grateful.
In God, Deborah
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