And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
Luke 2:6
The finite mind cannot grasp what happened there that Night; we can only bow our heads, close our eyes and whisper, “Thank You, Lord.”
It’d been a long, hard journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, covering around 80 miles and taking anywhere from 4-7 days to complete. No doubt the couple had joined with others heading to Bethlehem as a part of Caesar Augustus’ census tax (vv.1-3).
But, this trip was harder than normal for Mary and Joseph.
She was nine months pregnant and riding atop a clip-clopping, flop-eared donkey had to have been uncomfortable for the young, mother-to-be. Couple that with hilly terrain, possible inclement weather and the ever-present danger of roving bands of thieves and it’s clear the journey was a difficult one.
Even now we can almost see the expressions on their faces as they traveled those many miles, stopping here and there for a time of rest or refreshment. No doubt their budget was tight and they had to carefully watch their money lest they run out before they returned home again.
There were no ATM machines. No cell phones. No IPads. No internet access.
Caesar’s demand could not have come at a more inopportune time for them—for they’d planned to have the Child in the privacy of their own home.
But, God had other plans. And, so often He’ll used “changed circumstances” to draw us closer to His Heart and teach us deeper dependency upon Him.
So, truly, we can imagine Mary sitting on the burro. . .shifting back-and-forth as he walked. . . pensively “pondering all these things in her heart,” as she was prone to do (Lk. 2:19, 51).
And, we can only imagine their chagrin when they found out “there was no room for them in the inn” when they arrived in Bethlehem (v.7b). She was tired from the trip and her labor pains had started, likely causing further duress.
But, thankfully, one of the innkeepers allowed them to find shelter in his stable out back. At least they could get in out of the cold, inclement weather and find some soft hay on which Mary could lie down for the delivery. This wasn’t how they’d planned Jesus’ arrival—but God had other plans.
As the evening shadows gathered and the hustle-and-bustle of a convention-type crowd slowly ceased, the contractions increased. Mary winced in pain as they became more frequent and intense, while Joseph wiped the perspiration from her brow. And, through it all Mary quietly mused over all that had happened since Gabriel first appeared to her (Lk. 1:26-38) and wondered what the future held for the One vigorously moving within her womb.
Yes, it was the “Night of all nights”. . .a Holy Night. . .a Visitation from on High. . .that changed the course of human history. Why not pause right now and give thanks for that Night and the One Who came to save you from your sins?
December 24, 2012
