Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to 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, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The burden must have been tremendous. In accordance with the census that had been decreed, Joseph would have to travel to his ancestral home along with Mary, his betrothed. The journey would have been difficult, especially considering the fact that Mary was so far along in her pregnancy.
They would have travelled for days, finally arriving in Bethlehem only to find that there was no room available at the inn. Joseph and Mary must have been exhausted, disheartened, and unsure of what was to come. And in the midst of all of this, it began. Through great trial, great discouragement, and great uncertainty, God was working, bringing into the world the very gift that would right all the wrongs, that would restore the world to the way it was intended to be.
That night, hope was born into the world. Born in the city of Bethlehem. Born in the lineage of David. Born to a virgin. Born to rule and reign, to bring truth and grace, to break the chains of doubt, despair, misery, and sin. And after years of waiting, here he was, fulfilling the first of many promises.
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
- 2 Corinthians 1:20
