Please turn off the music!

Listen along here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/5534bc58/please-turn-of...

I hear it all the time. People talking about how bad the world has become--the darkness, corruption, and well----sin. Stop! Here is some good news for you today: into a world that was darker than this, the True Light came.

You do not have to know me too long to know that pink is my favorite color, polka dots make me smile, pearls make me feel like a 'lady' and remind me of Heaven, hummingbirds are near and dear to my heart, roses are what I love most to grow, and Christmas is my very favorite time of year. Already counting down the days until I can festoon my home in red and green, deck it with white lights ... and start playing Christmas carols without being turned in to the Feds because I am loony.

BUT, for today, I want to ask you to turn off the music. As we read Luke's capturing of that magical, miraculous night, let's try to separate it from our Western Christian thinking and practice. Can we do that?

Please note as you read (or listen), that our writer tells us who was in control, (long before the Dems or Republicans), a little about the social, cultural, geographic context, and even gives us a sneak peak at Ancestry.com.

But first, "Father, as we look at this familiar beloved story, may we see the careful attention to detail that was given and its significance to us today--in our story, in our lives. Amen."

[hmmm... reminds me of the psalmist who said 'the testimony of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.'1 There is nothing that compares to God's Word in all of this world]

from Luke chapter two: 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.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is please."

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.2

Carefully written by Luke, the time of Jesus' birth is stamped in history, as the Romans rule over the Jewish people, with Augustus Caesar at the helm 1500 miles across the Mediterranean. He decrees the people have to be numbered, perhaps so Rome knows the taxes she can extort. Whatever the motive, the Jews are required to travel to their ancestral homes to be counted/registered.

This 90-mile trek is surely arduous for our holy couple, but they are together--Joseph and Mary, under the watchful eye of God Almighty, about to see His son born of a woman. Hmmm.... Interesting that a corrupt Roman ruler sets in motion the fulfillment of Micah's prophesy that 'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.'3 Ah, Bethlehem.

Sometimes the providential hand of God moves in mysterious ways. I wonder, did Joseph complain to Mary about having to go, not realizing that he was cooperating with God, in this all important fulfillment of prophecy? Did he worry terribly about Mary during the difficult journey? Hmmm.

God does not show us exactly where he is leading ...

He does not show us how he is working 'all things together for good to those who love him...'4 Again, think of Mary and Joseph -- the cloud of shame/fear/misunderstanding they must have been living under in their small hometown, yet they know what God said--what he has promised. Just the same, how will He work it out? they wonder. And then there is a census--they must travel to Bethlehem... what is going on? They will possibly be far from their loved ones when the promised Child will enter the world--how will they manage?

From our vantage point, we see it all so clearly - you know, Mary, Joseph and the babe.

And from God's viewpoint, it was never out of sight. He was always leading, guiding, and making a way.

Just like whatever you are facing, whatever you are carrying to God in prayer. He sees, he hears, he knows, and he is at work. He is worthy of your trust and He has got you. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."5

Though they did not know how He was working it all out, they trusted God - Joseph and young Mary. May we learn from their simple, mighty trust, even without the carols ringing in our ears.

Trust in God, the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_iob6lOUOI

Trusting God--every step of the way,

Christine

PastorWoman.net

1 - Psalm 19.7

2 - Luke 2.1-20, NLT

3 - Micah 5.2

4 - Romans 8.28

5 - Isaiah 41.10