Dec 9 - Light of the World

Light of the World

Friday, December 9, 2022

by Patricia Lamb

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Key Verse: Luke 2:1-7

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

I can only imagine what Mary must have felt. Her hopes and dreams had all been turned upside down. She didn’t understand why she had been chosen to be the mother of God’s Son, but she accepted the miracle and waited. Time passed: planning for her baby, ignoring all the comments made about her, loving Joseph and trusting he could accept this child, and cleaning house, washing clothes, and cooking every day for nine months. She must have been so very tired. And then! a decree by Caesar Augustus required that she and Joseph had to travel 90 miles to go to Bethlehem. This was not part of her plan. Thankfully, Joseph provided a donkey for her to ride while he walked beside her.

I think of Mary arriving in Bethlehem: tired and dusty, heavy with child, aching from the long journey, wondering where her baby would be born. The best place Joseph could find for Mary was a stable. Do you think there might have been some tears? Wishing for her mother, or Elizabeth, or her own bed?  For some experienced woman to help her bring her Miracle into the world? But Mary believed in God’s Promise, and she had Joseph whom she loved and trusted, to help her deliver this baby.

And then a star shone down, and angels sang, and Mary wrapped her baby boy in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger. Her exhaustion became exultation, her fears became praise, and the Light of the World slept peacefully. God’s plan at work in the world.

So this advent season as I prepare to celebrate the Miracle of Christmas, as I cook and clean and make plans, as my plans don’t always work out as I hope, as I sometimes work myself into exhaustion wanting everything to be just right, as the tears come, I will think of the star, and a song, and a Child sleeping peacefully. 

And I will give thanks for God’s love for the world, and sing His praises, and trust that His perfect plan is unfolding in ways I cannot know. 

All-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

- Author Unknown