A Christmas Narrative Part 3

I usually wait for God to speak when I post. I don't have a file of different verses I write about I just go with what I feel He is trying to say and share it with those of you who read my blog. It has been a little weird for me to write these last 3 nights, but it is also easy because the story is already written. Which made me think about how God wrote Mary and Joseph's story long before they were even born. And Jesus, if we are to believe He is God as man and was with God since the very beginning of time (by human standards), which I do; Jesus knew He would be written into their story. He would be at the very center of the reason why Mary and Joseph would come together. Jesus would be the center of controversy from the very beginning of His life on Earth, and yet He chose to participate with us. As you read today's narrative be thinking of your own story and how God has written it, where has He inserted Himself into your life? And where have you taken Him out of it? That's what I was thinking about today as I contemplated how I would begin part 3. My story has impossibilities just as Mary and Joseph's and if you have been following God for any length of time your story has them too...Let's read part 3.

The Holy Couple and the Holy Birth (Luke 2:1-7)

As the months passed, Mary and Joseph’s relationship was still a little awkward, but Joseph cared for Mary more and more each day. He was beginning to love her. Joseph witnessed Mary's belly become more pronounced as the days, weeks, and months past. He knew it was almost time for the baby to be born and Caesar had wanted another census to be taken, “for more taxes obviously”, Joseph thought to himself. They would have to make a trying trip to his hometown of Bethlehem. It would take a few weeks, hopefully Mary and the baby could last that long. The trip was arduous, and they had lagged behind because Mary couldn’t ride or walk as long as Joseph or the others in their group, as she was getting closer to the time to deliver her baby. The others in the caravan had made it to the town of Bethlehem leaving the weak, old, and lame behind. Joseph and Mary would eventually see the town in the distance which was a welcomed sight. Mary had been having birth pangs for the last few days, “hold on baby”, Joseph thought and prayed to himself.

He had grown to love this child that wasn’t his. They were just outside the city gates when Mary cried out to Joseph, “The baby is coming!” Joseph raced down the dirt path to the nearest boarding house, but he was told there was no room here and not to expect anyone else to have space as many had already arrived because of the census. Some were staying in stables, others were out camping in the fields, but the Host knew by looking at Mary, she couldn’t be out in the open in her condition or with a newborn baby. The Host said, “Go out to the stable, you can use the manger there for the baby.” So, Joseph took Mary to the stable and there “she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7 NIV).

I know, you may be thinking..."why end it here?" or "why didn't I leave the birth for Christmas day?" Well, there is no real reason other than this is the way God had me write it out and I wanted to end the narrative on Christmas Eve. Reading about Christ's birth today sets the stage for the reason why we celebrate Christmas. I will hopefully see you all here again tomorrow for part 4.

Warrior On!