Saturday, December 24: Scripture – Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All went to their own towns to be registered.
4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
This past year was one in which a census was taken. Imagine if you will, having to physically travel to the place of your family’s birth to be counted. Many of us complained about filling out a form! Imagine taking that long trip by walking or on the back of a donkey. Imagine making that trip while pregnant. Even worse, imagine arriving at the same time as all the other pilgrims and finding nowhere to stay while experiencing labor pains. How incredibly frightening! And yet one innkeeper found it in his heart to make a place for them. Granted, it was a stable. Granted, the bed for the babe was a manger. The innkeeper gave them the best he had available at a time when he was already overrun by other travelers. Even at His birth, Christ was teaching us: make room any way you can for those in need. Share what you have – no matter how little. Look to the needs of others’ suffering. My prayer this Christmas Eve is that each of us is able to make an impact in the coming year – no matter how small – on those in need. You might just be helping to welcome the Christ child. Merry Christmas!
Prayer: Dear Lord: Please help us to recognize the spark of divinity in all people and to find the way – as did the innkeeper – to serve you by serving others. Amen
Jane Hudson
Needlepoint by Jane Hudson