They had to travel to Bethlehem, the City of David- because everyone had to return to their hometown to be registered. And Joseph’s hometown was Bethlehem.
Mary stayed alongside her betrothed, praying the chid would wait until the arrived…until they could find somewhere to stay.
Then they reached Bethlehem.
And Jesus had not been born.
But Mary knew, she would feel it, it wouldn’t be long.
He would come right on time. He would come on time…not in a clean room or in a palace…but in a stable among animals and hay- because there was no room for them in the inn.
There was no room in the inn for the Savior to come.
I wonder if it was cold that night. If she thought about the moment when they would know that He was the Son of God.
I know she was scared.
There was no one to help her but Joseph. How would she do this on her own? She hadn’t even been with him yet…surely this wasn’t how she wanted him to truly see her for the first time.
But nevertheless, the baby would come.
His first cry pierced the night.
His earthly father held Him…held the Son of God in his hands.
His wife had given birth to a son…Joseph could rest. They were both safe.
A miracle.
Tears fell down both of their cheeks as Jesus rested close on His mother’s chest.
This woman He had created now held Him. The stars He had breathed now shone down on Him.
The Light had come to break the darkness, to fulfill all of the prophecies…
And the celebration had only begun.
For nearby a group of shepherds were watching their sheep, looking up at the stars. These shepherds were the ones looked down upon by many in their society.
They had no idea that the Light of the World laid nearby.
But suddenly an angel appeared in the sky.
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Light from Heaven broke through the sky as a multitude of angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
A miracle.
The shepherds threw off their fear and they rushed to the manger, finding the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. They bowed in awe of this baby who would save them.
I can’t imagine having people come and worship my hours old baby, having them bow and praise my baby.
But not only did the shepherds come.
The wise men came, too. We don’t know how old Jesus was when they came.
When they came they brought presents for this Child. Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
They followed the star to find the Child, to find the Savior.
“And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
A miracle.
They followed the star to find The Light.
They let the star lead them to the place where the Savior of the world lay.
They let the star lead them. Yes, a miracle.
There will be lights in this world that lead us astray.
But His Light- THE Light- will always lead us back to Him.
Let the Light lead you this Christmas.
Not to the Christmas tree. But to the tree in the shape of a cross.
Not to the presents. But to the Present lying in a manger…the Baby who came to give hope, the Baby who came to die, the Baby who came to give us miracles- to BE the Miracle.
Friends, have a very merry Christmas celebrating the miracles He does in our lives each and every day and most of all...The Miracle He came to be.
~Bailey
"Jesus came for you, warring against the darkness to win you back to Him...And then, at last, all was calm. All was bright. Over Bethlehem the star hung high and victorious on that silent night, that holy night.
"All other love stories don't compare to this one-because this is the truest, realest story that ever was. That night, our rescue has come. God has visited our planet, and we can breathe free.
"He chose to enter our world right in a pile of mucky, messy, stinky dirty straw. Jesus comes and meets you in the stinky mess of your sin... Jesus is with you now. Wherever you are, no matter what is happening, Jesus always wants to be with you. The Lord saves. Jesus is with us." -Ann Voskamp, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift
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