Happy Christmas Dear Reader,
The journey we are all walking is one of faith. Even those of you who do not believe in God
are exercising faith that there is nothing beyond us. Then I ponder the faith required of me
compared to that of Jesus’ parents.
I have written about this at length but I always ponder the
two at Christmas time. No matter when
the actual journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem occurred it was an undertaking of
hardship. The journey is eighty miles.
That is about four days on foot in ideal conditions. Their conditions were not ideal
From a human perspective the situation seems a strong enough
test of faith. A betrothed couple with
a baby on the way is a strong target for scandal and judgment. We as a society no longer are abashed by
unmarried mothers. In their society it
still carried the death penalty.
Joseph is told by God to accept this so he does. Mary is willing to do as God asks. Then the tax man comes. The decree means that Joseph has to travel
with his third term wife to Bethlehem. I
wish I were privy to the conversations between these two. I would value knowing how they worked out the
fear and questions.
My faith has a place to purchase because of the faith of a
carpenter and his wife. I can journey
with Christ because they journeyed with him.
The life they provide for the boy will allow us to know the man who is
Jesus. Of all the parents in history
they had the most unique of challenges.
They faced God in the form of their Son every day. Sabbath prayers and feast days had to have a
hint of the awkward. Everyday slips in
following the law had to have a new shadow surrounding them. The world was forever different for
life. I love the brief story that is
theirs and love them for it.
Mary’s
Song – Petra
Hold that blanket closer, Mary dear
All the world waits with You for Your day
But for now, the wind is cold and it's drear
And Bethlehem's still so far away
Do You remember the way You felt back then?
Joy and wonder filled Your soul
And when the angel slipped away
You knew Your life would never be the same
But now, You're travelin', travelin' on a road
To Bethlehem, wanderin' thoughts fly away
If you knew the road that lay ahead of Him
Would You break down and cry?
Your child is born to die
Feel that hand of strength upon Your own
A husband's love that guides along the way
And as his understanding has grown
His hopes too are centered on that day
For do You remember the way he looked back then
Pain and sorrow filled his eyes
'Til when the angel came to say
The Savior's birth was meant to be this way
But now, You're travelin', travelin' on a road
To Bethlehem, wanderin' thoughts fly away
If you knew the road that lay ahead of Him
Would You break down and cry?
Your child is born to die
Think back on that promise You received
For Him, whom the prophets long believed
Now, belongs to You, You've been chosen to
But He's the one who's gonna shine
We call His name Jesus, Immanuel
He'll save His people from sin and hell
And of His kingdom there will be no end
But now, You're travelin', travelin' on a road
To Bethlehem, wanderin' thoughts fly away
If you knew the road that lay ahead of Him
Would You break down and cry?
Your child is born to die
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer
who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home
owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store."
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
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