Discover His heart: One holy night long ago He sent His presence to abide with us
Selling a home, especially in today’s market, can be tricky business. Through the years, I’ve had several home sellers tell me that their home sold before they even had it on the market or shortly after that, and this miracle was God’s stamp of approval on their upcoming move or change. I’m always at a momentary loss of words at this point. The two beautiful homes we owned in the past took months and months to sell even though well priced. Does this mean we were moving outside of God’s will?
Knowing that we were in God’s will is what carried us along during those difficult months. And this begs the question in our reading today – Was Paul out of God’s will when he insisted his case be tried in Rome? The hardships he incurred on the way to Rome were extraordinary, but in spite of it all, he ultimately answered God’s call to preach to the Romans. As we celebrate Christmas, another question comes to mind. Were the difficulties, then, that Mary and Joseph faced at the time of Jesus’ birth an indication that God was not with them?
@ Acts 27-28
Paul was under armed guard as they set sail for Rome, and the trip was treacherous, to say the least. A violent tempest tossed the ship for days, and Paul’s life was threatened as the soldiers attempted to kill the prisoners rather than risk their getting free in the storm. When they finally ended up shipwrecked on the island of Malta, miraculously not one life was lost. If this wasn’t enough peril, Paul was bitten by a deadly viper, yet not even a mark remained.
“Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him… Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” (28:16,30-31) The sailing was not smooth, the house did not sell, but God was with Paul on his trip to Rome, and his mission was accomplished. Paul preached the gospel to the Romans.
@ Luke 2
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (4-8)
Having just accepted the unbelievable truth of an Immaculate Conception, Joseph and pregnant Mary traveled the difficult road to Bethlehem to find there was no lodging available. Then Mary went into labor and gave birth to the Messiah, the very Son of God … in a stable. And, if that wasn’t trial enough, the king tried to kill their son. With all these difficulties, some would say that this couple was out of the will of God and perhaps this Holy Spirit conception was a farce. And they would, of course, be wrong.
Now, some 2,000 years later we honor this glorious birth as we sing, “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.” We join with the multitude of the heavenly host praising God and say: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (14)
As with Paul, Joseph and Mary and so many others who have gone before us, the path to our future may not always be smooth sailing, and we may find ourselves in difficult situations from time to time. However, there is one thing we can be certain of today in our celebration of Christ’s coming to this earth, and it is that He is with us! As we travel His path, He is with us. Merry Christmas, fellow travelers!
Moving Forward: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” He has come, and He is with me as I travel life’s path.
Tomorrow @ Jude
Phyllis Benigas 