Once again this week, I read the Christmas story from Luke chapter two. I’ve read this story hundreds of times, but it never gets old.
I’m struck with the journey Joseph and Mary had to make to Nazareth. Luke tells us the story.
“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.”
Do we think Mary and Joseph wanted to take this journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? Especially when Mary is in her last trimester of pregnancy? The distance was 90 miles. Ladies imagine walking this distance or riding a donkey or horse while pregnant?
Historians tell us the trip would have been very difficult. Up and down a lot of hills. The weather would have been cold at night. They could travel 10 miles per day at most. Meals would have been dried bread. There was danger of wild animals and danger of bandits and thieves.
But finally, the arrive. They see the lights of the town up ahead. All they could think of was finding a warm room and a place to lay down. But because of the census and everyone going to their hometown to register, the normally quiet town of Bethlehem was filled with visitors. As they walked throughout the town, inquiring as they went, they discovered there was no vacancy throughout the entire town.
Can’t you hear Joseph pleading with the inn keeper? Can’t you hear the desperation in his voice? Please sir, please….you must have someplace where my wife can lay down.
The innkeeper’s response is…if you guys want to get out of the weather, I’ll let you use my stable. It’s out back.
Mary lies down with a sigh and then she feels some. “Joseph, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I think it’s time.” He opens his eyes and ask, “Mary, it’s time for what?” She gives him a look and he sits up straight and asked, “Now? Here? You are going to have the baby here? Tonight?
And you know the rest of the story. In a stable, most likely a cave, the Savior of the World was born.
Imagine that. No room available for Jesus. If Cesar Augustus had come to town there would have been room. If King Herod had come to town, there would have been a room. But, no room for Jesus? Why?
The world was not waiting for a baby to be born in Bethlehem. The world was frustrated. The Jewish people were living under Roman rule and occupation. They were consumed with what was happening politically. Taxes were high. A census was being conducted so the government could make sure the proper taxes were collected. No one was expecting a Messiah, much less a baby.
Our times aren’t altogether different than the first century. That list of Roman distractions sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Political intrigue. Racial tension. Rampant immorality. People consumed with busyness.
Will you make room in your heart for Jesus?
Will you make room in your family for Jesus?
Will you make room in your priorities for Jesus?
Will you make room in your schedule for Jesus?
Will you make room in your life for Jesus?
Today’s Challenge: Let’s make sure it this unusual year and these unusual times that me make room for Jesus. Let’s make him a priority in our lives.
