Bible Passage: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” (Luke 2:1 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-5
Have you ever had to take an unexpected trip?
We have. It can be chaos when you only have minutes to cram together all the details that usually take days or weeks to plan for.
When it happened to us, there wasn’t much I could control. So, I prayed and left it in God’s hands.
It makes me think of Mary and Joseph. Their world was already crazy, as they were expecting a baby. Then the Romans declared a census and forced everyone to travel to their hometowns.
When we read the Nativity, we are not told how Joseph reacted to the chaos of their situation.
They were travelling while expecting a baby any day. No fancy vehicle with air conditioning. No in-ride movie.
They arrived in Bethlehem later than everyone else. No cell phones to call ahead. No internet to book a room online. No hospital with a cozy birthing wing to make Mary comfortable.
It seemed like everything was out of control.
And it was—but only for Joseph and Mary.
When you look at the details—a manger is available, a safe place, a healthy birth, swaddling cloths to wrap the baby in—you can see Joseph and Mary were in God’s hands, even as they held the Son of God in their hands.
God was in control of the chaos.
This week, I encourage us as men to spend time reading the Nativity accounts in Matthew and Luke. But let’s not read them thinking we already know the story. Let’s let our hearts sit in the chaos with Joseph and Mary, and through that, see how God wants us as men to trust that He has everything under control.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the Christmas season, as it reminds us that You came. Show me more of what You have for me in Your Nativity story. Amen.
Reflection: Think about Joseph and Mary’s situation. How would you have felt had it been you?
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