Advent Day 17

Day 17

Luke 2: 2-3

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

Have you ever had to register for something? Some registrations are amazing. They are so simple and they don’t require any hassle. Others, you know the ones I am talking about want not only your life story, but twelve references, support letters, documentation of hair type (yes I am being extreme) but it feels like that. Sometimes you come out feeling refreshed that you have completed whatever registration process excited to check something off the list and others you are so mentally, emotionally, and financially drained that you just can’t do anything for the rest of the day. I do not know what it was like for the registration that Caesar required but I do know that it required traveling. Traveling today is often a pain but think about what it took for those to travel 2000 years ago. Our complaining goes out the window.

How would you compile the logistics for a migration of people? Who would you need to register the people? Where would they stay? What would they eat? No wonder there was no room in the inn. Joseph could not call ahead and get a room reserved. He was probably traveling slower because of Mary being pregnant and life just happened. Sometimes because life happens we do not get what we want. Sometimes there are struggles that seem more than we can bear. It might be waiting in line to get that registration completed or traveling from far to register with a government. It is in those moments which show others how we are made. Are we going to get mad? Or are we going to make the best of the situation and make a crib out of a cattle trough. The choice God so lovingly leaves up to us. We are a reflection of him when we choose in the midst of our trial, discomfort, hopelessness and fear, when we choose love.