by Joanne Wiklund
After ninety miles of travel to Bethlehem, on foot and donkey, Mary and Joseph were past weary. Joseph, with his staff, had led the animal with its precious load of two souls, one nearing arrival to the world.
Bethlehem was not a group of friends and relatives waiting for them, cheering their arrival. It was near night when their last hope was dashed at the door of the innkeeper.
No room. Try the stable. What a welcome for a king. They both knew how important this baby would be. They survived the rejection of her pregnancy by others: relatives and friends. He could have rejected her also. But he too was convinced by an angel that their mission was at God’s willing. Mary had said “yes,” not “why me?”
The stable was dark, smelly, and uncomfortable. A little warmer, with sounds of animals somehow comforting. With light from bright stars, the stable itself was lit enough for Mary to “bring forth” their son, on loan to them from God, with a mission to fulfill.
Wonder kept me awake while lying in a dark bedroom, the wonder of how it all came to be. For believers in Jesus Christ, we know we don’t need to know all the answers. Most of it is documented in The Holy Bible. We can read it for ourselves. We can go online and get 9,400 pieces of nativity clip art. We can read others’ descriptions of their travel and travails but most of all, we can keep it simple.
Jesus is a gift from God, sent to save us from our sins. He is our light, the light of the world. The light of the Star of Bethlehem was enough for Mary and Joseph to hold their child and receive visitors the night He was born. May all who hear the Gospel of Jesus receive Him as they did. He is a gift of God to us. We just have to receive Him.
Psalm 112:4 “Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, he is gracious, merciful and righteous.”
John 1:4 “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”