The Journey to Bethlehem

The Journey to Bethlehem
Faithful
December 20, 2020

It’s the whine you hear coming from the back seat. Whether it’s over the hills and thru the woods to Grandma’s house, or just a quick trip to the store, it seems you’re barely 10 minutes down the road before it begins... “Are we there yet?” With no real understanding of timeframes or distance, and no choice about whether or not to make the trip, kids can be unhappy campers when it comes to traveling.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the story of Christmas from the perspective of Joseph, the man God chose to be the earthly father for His Son, Jesus. This week, we’re considering the journey that Joseph and Mary made to Bethlehem. I can’t imagine that making the long trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem with your due-any-day-now wife was what Joseph really wanted to be doing. There was a baby on the way. Being a carpenter, perhaps he had a crib to finish making. But they had no choice. Though the timing wasn’t great, not making the trip wasn’t an option. Whether he wanted to or not was irrelevant; whether it was convenient or not, they had to go.

Like Joseph, sooner or later, all of us find ourselves on a journey we’d rather not take. It’s not our idea, it’s not comfortable or convenient; and yet, we have no choice.

The last nine months we’ve all been on a journey that none of us would have chosen. Like kids strapped in uncomfortable car seats, with no idea how much farther we have to go, we ache for the journey to end. Are we there yet? I invite you to join us this Sunday as we worship together and learn from the story of Joseph, Mary, and their journey to Bethlehem.