Today’s scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
Inn-ward Reflection
Sure, Mary and Joseph must have been really nice and extremely devout if God chose them to bring Jesus into the world. But they also were 100% human. Most of the time, when I’ve seen today’s passage presented, it ends up seeming as though the entire journey, hotel-search, do-it-yourself delivery, and follow-up nursery set-up took about 15 minutes. How unrealistic!
As I attempt to visualize that time in the couple’s life, I try to take them off of marble pedestals and make them 3D people I can actually relate to. So a few questions and bits of curiosity are bound to creep into my thoughts:
Were they mildly annoyed that God didn’t arrange for them to have swanky accommodations pre-arranged when they entered the gates of Bethlehem? After all, they were about to deliver (literally) the Son of God to the world.
Once they ended up bunking with barnyard critters, how’d they keep the animals away from the delivery room, er, uh. . . stall? How’d Joseph get ahold of fresh/new straw (or whatever they used) for the postpartum area, with Bethlehem chock full of tourists? Wasn’t every bit of such material needed to meet a spike in demand for agricultural-related purposes?
Joseph was a carpenter, not the equivalent of a 1st-century obstetrician. How’d he manage to deliver Mary’s baby? Or, did they both get lucky and secure the services of someone who’s not mentioned in the Bible at all?
I could spend hours having fights, er, uh. . . discussions with friends, strangers, and others about these matters and a boatload of other thoughts which don’t really matter in the long run. But, doing so doesn’t seem important at all now that I think about it again. What really hits home with me is the fact that God chose ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Why?
I don’t have the answer, but I do know it’s very nice of God to let us human help out with tasks. Some people say it’s necessary; some say it’s not. I don’t know that answer, either. All I know for myself is this: it certainly is satisfying, fulfilling, and provides a sense of purpose in life when God allows me to help out with tasks.
Thought for the day: The stunningly spectacular assignment of rearing God’s son has already been handed out. However, there are still plenty more totally worth-while tasks waiting to be given to willing recipients. Hark! (That’s Christmas-talk for “Listen up!”)
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.