Christmas
… because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 CSB
Mary and Joseph made their way from their home in Nazareth to their ancestral home in Bethlehem. Bethlehem was a small village in Judea, modest, with a population likely in the hundreds, and was primarily an agricultural community. It has existed for over four thousand years and was the birthplace of King David, an ancestor of the Messiah.
The village itself was characterized by simple homes, often built with stone and mud, and it had a few key structures like inns or guesthouses. The natural geography of the region included rolling hills and fertile land, which supported the local agriculture. Among those who lived there were shepherds who oversaw flocks of sheep. Since this region is hilly, it is likely that many flocks were kept in caves.
Imagine, after several days of travel while pregnant, arriving in your ancestral home only to find there was no place to stay. This could have been an overwhelming hurdle for Mary and Joseph, but the Lord provided what was needed. They found an empty stable that night where they could find safety and rest from their exhausting journey.
At times, our journey through life can be filled with hurdles that are exhausting and overwhelming. By spending time reading a devotion or scrolling through the scriptures, we begin to see our challenges come into focus, revealing direction where we once saw only chaos. Once again, we witness how our Heavenly Father uses trials in our daily lives to help us focus on “the one thing needful,” Him. Amid the world’s hustle and bustle, resting in the Lord’s promises and assurance allows us, like Mary and Joseph, to find rest.
With all my heart and being, O Christ-child sweet and dear,
I love Thee, and Thee only; Oh, be thou ever near!
My heart I in Thy manger lay; Let it remain there and for aye
Draw it to Thee that it may be Secure eternally.
The Lutheran Hymnal 89:4