REJOICE!

REJOICE!  - 

     I love looking forward to things!  The excitement of waiting for something to happen is almost as much fun as when the event finally takes place.  For the past 5 years, I have gone on a snowshoeing trip in Colorado.  It is a planned trip where I join a group of friends and family members for a week.  I always know exactly when the trip is, even a year in advance.  I know exactly where I’m going.  Transportation will be comfortable and speedy.  I know what the lodging will be like.  I know the food will be terrific.  I know all the people who will be there and I know we’ll have fun together.

ADVENT is looking forward to something exciting!  It’s a special time of the year when events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ are as exciting as the birth itself.  The Christmas story tells of the anticipation of Jesus’ birth and an angel foretelling what would happen.  As exciting as the times were, uncertainty prevailed.  Three Wise Men journeyed a long way to find this special baby, Jesus.  They weren’t sure of where they were going or how to get there and certainly weren’t sure of what would await them!  They followed a star, of all things, to find their way to the place where Jesus lay.  There was no lodging for them!  There wasn’t even lodging for Jesus! Parents!  This wasn’t a fun trip for the parents.  They were traveling because of a census taking place that required them to travel.  No part of this trip was going to be fun. Transportation was slow and uncomfortable.  They were alone…not with family members.  Food was probably a secondary thought for them much of the time.  Then the miracle happened…a Savior was born!

     Today we are the beneficiaries of all those blessed events!  All these many years later, the story told then is still exciting today.  We know about the trip taken by Mary and Joseph.  We know where they were going.  We know what the lodging was like, be it ever so humble.  We know there were those who came to be with them.  God was surely there.  They were no alone after all and neither are we.  May this season be a joyful and blessed one for us all as we await and prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

From Nancy J of Monterey United Methodist Church

Luke 2:8-20