Christmas At The Movies - Week 1 - Day 1
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, open our hearts to what you have to say to us today. Let us hear your truth in the midst of our individual journeys.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). And everyone went to their own town to register.
So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. “
“Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him.”
REFLECT:
As any mother can attest, the journey that Mary and Joseph had to take to Bethlehem while she was pregnant rings deeply as a miserable one. This journey would have been made in grueling weather over rough, hilly terrain. It would have been cold, wet, and slow going to cover the distance they had to travel to get to Bethlehem. They were not traveling in luxury – a modest man and his pregnant wife. They were weary travelers on a mission taking it one day at a time.
As much as I can imagine how physically rough their journey was, I cannot begin to imagine the emotions Jesus’ parents were carrying with them on this trek. Most likely still wrestling with the idea that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and that she was to give birth to the Son of God, their journey must have been even harder as they probably both supported and also struggled with each other and with God.
Even after their journey to Bethlehem was complete, Mary and Joseph had to stay in a rough dwelling. It would have been cold, dark, damp, and – with the animals present – more than a bit smelly. Mary had to give birth to her firstborn on a cold, hard cave floor. The physical and emotional anguish of the situation seem unthinkable.
APPLY:
Even as Mary and Joseph lived through this grueling experience, they were met with a baby boy, beautiful and innocent. Their lives were changed forever, and the years ahead would prove that God continued to provide for them and make a way for their family and for the world.
Even if they didn’t fully understand what was to come, they were a part of the grandest story of all. Their story reminds us all that no matter where we come from or what baggage we carry into the journey God has set us on, we can rest assured that he has good plans for us.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, thank you for working all things together for our good. Remind me today that you are with me on my journey – right where I find myself today – and that you know the plans that you have in store.
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