At the last straw

Ruth Kennedy December 24, 2023 0 3

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Luke 2: 1-7 (NIVUK)

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Waiting.

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At times I have wondered if Mary had a due date for Jesus. I don’t mean it flippantly, I mean, did she know when to expect his birth or did it catch her unawares? A baby is rarely born on the exact date it is due, sometime either side is more typical and yet that doesn’t stop pregnant, expectant parents from having that specific date in mind.

I wonder if Mary had a specific date in mind. I wonder if she or Joseph knew that this day then was the eve of it all.

Or.

If they were waiting.

That it was a surprise. A bit like the pregnancy itself.

Here we are on Christmas Eve waiting for tomorrow, the big day! And rightly so for we have now set and established a due date to remember and rejoice that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. Emmanuel. God with us. We need to be alert that in our focus and expectancy of Christmas Day, we remain open to the surprises and gifts of God today.

For God is good and He has new and fresh kindness for us every morning.

Love is born every morning not just Christmas day.

Prayer:

Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus, to say that we love Him.

Open our ears Lord, and help us to listen to the whispers of your love given to us anew today.

Amen.