Dear SCC & Friends,
…no room for them… ~Luke 2:7
Reflection #250
The Lord uses seemingly ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Jesus arrived “in the fullness of time” which is a beautiful word picture of prophetic fulfillment and joy… Part of that beautiful picture was to be fleshed out through two willing servants, Joseph and Mary. Obeying God does not mean that “the wind will always be at our back.” Joseph’s faith required great courage, compassion and sacrifice. Mary’s faith endured the pain of shame, ridicule and slander. The humble carpenter and the young virgin were thrust into the greatest event in human history… the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory… full of grace and truth. ~John 1:14 …Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God – The uncreated Creator became a child of time for you and me… Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried… ~Isa. 54:4
How did Joseph explain Mary’s pregnancy to his parents or to his Hebrew brethren? We don’t know, but we do know that people will talk… Mary’s pregnancy shamed herself, her family and her community. In the midst, Joseph’s character was extraordinary… He was a righteous man, not wanting to disgrace or cause her harm. He received an angelic explanation which cleared the way for Joseph and Mary to move forward in faith. It was an eighty-mile trek to Bethlehem. Did they know where they’d be staying? Mary could deliver at any time and would need a place… One of the names for Yahweh is Jehovah Jireh, which means God will provide. There was no room for them at the inn, yet God provided a place…so vulnerable, so unpretentious and so humble. Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger surrounded by animals… He came to seek and to save that which was lost. ~Lk. 19:10 That’s you and me… Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled… Thank you Lord… Keep up the good work!
Christmas blessings,
Kevin