Advent - Day Six

For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust  ************************************************************** 

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

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 cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 NKJV

The time has come—the Savior is being born! The reason why we celebrate Christmas! But it wasn't exactly how many pictured the Messiah would arrive.

Joseph was from the line of David and according to a decree, that meant that Joseph and his family would have to travel to Bethlehem for a census. And even though it didn't fit the mold people expected, it fulfilled the prophecy that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

However, when Joseph and a very pregnant Mary arrived, there were no rooms left in town. All that was left was a manger in a stable. A humble place for the birth of Jesus.

God could have orchestrated for Jesus to be born in a palace—or at least a nice bed. But He didn't do that. Instead, the Father sent His only son to be born in the lowliest of conditions. Perhaps to signify that everything Jesus would do would be marked with humility. Jesus would always defy human expectations.

Remember that the God we serve is humble and lowly in heart. But also remember that He can and wants to do things very different than you might imagine.

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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for making Jesus attainable to all. Thank You for showing us how to handle rejection - with humility and yet still able to carry on with life as we know it. Thank You for setting the finest example of love by coming down to our level so we could come to You and not be intimidated by Your obvious greatness. Open our eyes so that we may see and understand that not everything is as it appears to be. We choose to trust You. Help us to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen