Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2023
“Get Ready! Christmas is Coming!”
Happy Christmas Eve! We are just one day away from the big day. We are almost there. Though we are ready, this is the time when the mind starts playing tricks on us. Some of us will start thinking about all the things we haven’t done and the things we’ve forgotten. We’ll be faced with the choice of trying to get them completed or just let them be.
Mary and Joseph had traveled nearly 90 miles to arrive in Bethlehem for the census. This was a place they knew. It’s likely that both Mary and Joseph had cousins and friends in this town of 2,000. If Baby Jesus decided to arrive while they were there, surely someone would offer them shelter and help them with whatever they needed.
I mean, really… Who wouldn’t want to have the opportunity to have a baby born in our home? Wouldn’t that be cool? Wouldn’t everyone want to be able to cherish those fond memories and keep up with the young family as they move along in life? Personally, I think that would be awesome. If my cousin and their spouse were to arrive at my door ready to give birth, I know I would help. Wouldn’t you?
Unfortunately, that’s not the response that Joseph and Mary received. Joseph couldn’t find anyone who would at least offer them the living room couch. Instead, they arrived in Bethlehem to closed doors and family members who turned their backs on them. The shame of both Mary’s pregnancy and Joseph’s response to Mary was so intense that nobody would offer them a place to stay.
What would it feel like to be refused at Christmas? Or, flip the story around for a moment. What if someone arrived on our doorstep needing help? How would we respond? What if someone we don’t like is in a situation of need, would we turn our backs and close the door?
These are good Christmas questions to consider. God came into the world so that we could be assured of having both an open door and a spare couch if needed. God doesn’t turn His back. God doesn’t close the door on our needs. Instead, God becomes the perfect host, offering us everything, regardless of our situation.
One day from Christmas. We’re almost there. When we arrive at Christmas, I hope and pray that none of us are faced with doors closed in our faces. I also hope that we can think of God’s incredible love and generosity when we encounter an opportunity to turn the other cheek, reconcile, and provide for others.
Get ready! Christmas is coming!
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” (Luke 2:1-6, KJV)