Weekly Devo: The Journey To Bethlehem — New Beginings.

(Luke 2:25-38; Matthew 1:18-25)

What started as a text sent to a stranger has resulted in a 10-year friendship. You may have already heard the story… Grandma was texting her family, and one text went to a stranger. He jokingly sent a response, correcting the situation but asked if he could still attend – even though he was a stranger. Grandma said, “Of course, that’s what grandmas do. We feed everyone!” (Wanda & Jamal)

Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton Celebrate 10th Thanksgiving. 

As we now turn our attention to traditional Christmas, this Advent season, we are going to take a journey. A journey that can help us in our spiritual development. (I say this is the traditional Christmas because we don’t know the exact timetable of the birth of Jesus.)

Today’s journey looks at Mary and Joseph.

Mary and Joseph are having a baby. Their trip has been planned from the beginning of time, and they are on their way to a new beginning! For them and for us too, the circumstances were a surprise, but it was definitely a planned and purposeful pregnancy.

Even though they had some choice in the matter, there were certain elements of the Christmas story that surprised even them. They were forced to go to the ancestral hometown of the line of David.

As we take this journey through Advent this year, my hope is that you will gain a greater understanding and appreciation for what God wants to do in your life.

Together, we will look at the villain or the powerful in the Christmas story. We will gain an understanding of how Herod sought to destroy God’s plan.

Together, we will also look at the most vulnerable period beginning with the baby Jesus, as well as in the lives of simple people who are invited first to come and worship. The realization that the greatest proclamation and gift given was to the lowly — The Shepherds! 

We will also take a look at the role that the angels serve in this Christmas story. Certainly, Gabriel and the heavenly choir teach us something about the preparation needed for the unveiling of a Savior.

We cannot look to the manger without also seeing the cross. In this part of the story, we find that the angels were busy in their preparation, but at the cross, they were restricted from interfering.

We will also take a look at those who have come from far away. These may be referred to as the outsiders, but they were considered the Magi, wise men who were kings in their own right and brought gifts to the Savior, which spoke of His death more than His birth.

So let’s get into this first journey. It was certainly not a vacation destination.

Bethlehem was not a tourist spot except for the many who also needed to register according to the law; a census was to be taken. Having to return to their hometown/region, they were responsible for making the arrangements. This pointed to the prophecy that connected Jesus to the line of David! But as you know, the place was overrun with many people. As we are told, there was no place for them, so they had to have a makeshift manger scene. Probably, it was the back room of a home where every other part of the residence was filled.

In Micah 5, we find one of the many prophecies being fulfilled. It is in Bethlehem, the least of all cities, that would bear the most. It was the least chosen that proclaimed the best message of all, illuminated by a star that guided the spectators.

A Ruler from Bethlehem

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

are only a small village among all the people of Judah.

Yet a ruler of Israel,

whose origins are in the distant past,

will come from you on my behalf. (Micah 5:2)

Which Christmas movie is your favorite? No Christmas season is complete without the many Christmas movies. I have many, as do you.

One that really sticks out to me, featuring a belief in the spirit of Christmas, is “Miracle on 34th Street.” Because of its commercialization and popularity, a child-like faith was on trial. The story is about how everyone came to a child-like faith. Though the story was about belief in Santa Claus, the message was clearly about faith and belief in something more than ourselves. (We can watch this fantasy film and also discuss the reality of faith in Christ.)

Another favorite is with Jimmy Stewart. You may recall it - “It’s A Wonderful Life.” It was set in a community in Bedford Falls with the ever-struggling Savings and Loans business. It wasn’t a business that George wanted, and eventually, he was so depressed and worried about a scandal that he wished he had never been born. It was a journey that he was on, a road to no return. Clarence, his guardian angel, saved him from a dreadful decision but took him down the road that reminded him that his life has value. Remember the famous line? “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings.” (We can also learn that through sacrifice and giving to others, one finds that what matters is faith and friendship!)

The true Christmas story is one of struggle and hardship, but the struggle gives way to a miracle for each and every one of us.

We too are on a road of our own. Some are of our own making while others are directed by God. Don't be surprised if you discover that these roads are going to merge at the junction of God's making (if you let Him). Roads are not always easy. Few are paved because this may be the first time they have been traveled. The young couple discovered that surprise trips to us are well-traveled by God, who promised a great miracle in the making. Embrace the plan that God is revealing to you.

The Gospels record that Mary was visited by an angel, and Joseph was awakened from his dream with the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:34 & Matthew 1:24). Their journey was one of faith, hope, and love. It is joy that we experience through the Gospel account of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

What trips have you taken? What do you usually forget to pack? What plans have you had interrupted on your journey? Consider Mary and Joseph. Their trip was filled with uncertainty mixed with excitement. A new baby was going to be born to change them as well as the world!

Growing up, our family did not take many vacation trips. Though a few were to visit family, most of our holidays were spent at home. (Trips to Florida to visit my mother’s family created memories for me.)

Debbie McDaniel wrote in her article, “7 Promises from God to Remind Us: He Will Bring Good from the Storms in Our Lives.”

“Through every trial and storm we encounter in life, God will use it to make a mark in this world.The troubles we walk through can bring glory to Him. He will use our lives, the joy and faith we have, in spite of our problems, to draw others to Himself, and to help us remember that what we see around us is not all there is. For He has more in store, and it is greater than we can ever imagine….”

What lessons can we learn from the journey of Mary and Joseph?

Though they were not guided by a star, they held closely the secret that was to be revealed to the whole world, for unto us a child is born! God with us – Emmanuel. He came to be known as Jesus, and He came to relate to our suffering so that we can experience the joy of salvation.

Here’s a bit of a rundown of the things that they experienced that I believe we can relate to as well in our own spiritual journey.

1. Their journey began with a promise.

2. Their journey was filled with uncertainty.

3. Their journey had a nemesis, an enemy who wanted to destroy God’s plan!

4. Their journey was witnessed by key individuals that marked the truth and substance of the Gospel!

5. Their journey gave testimony to the greatest gift!

What can you take away from this journey as we wait on the Lord this Advent? 

What does God want you to trust Him with? 

What promise has He given to you to sustain you spiritually? 

What provisions has He given which display His glory in your life? 

What gift have you received and can’t give away that has eternal value?

Mary and Joseph were faced with a fearful and uncertain experience, yet they found faith and trust in God’s plan and direction along the way.

We also learn the importance of community and the support needed in uncertain times, demonstrated by the innkeeper, the risk of dreams dashed because of the jealousy of the powerful - Herod, the visit of the shepherds (the lowly), and the choir of angels who announced this wonderful birth of the Christ child! The first gifts given pointed to the cross by the Magi. 

**We know of adversity in this story. It is very much present, and the drama is also complete with the very first gifts given by the Magi.

Each week we will further unpack the story, verse by verse, and come to learn the incredible story of the Birth of a Savior — Who is Christ the Lord!

Closing: 

As we conclude our journey to Bethlehem, we are reminded that the path to new beginnings is often filled with uncertainty, challenges, and divine purpose. Just as Mary and Joseph embraced their calling despite the obstacles, we too are invited to trust in God's plan for our lives. The Christmas story is not just about the birth of a child; it is about hope, faith, and the miraculous ways God works through ordinary people and situations.

Quote for Conclusion:  

“Every journey we take, whether marked by joy or hardship, is an opportunity for God to reveal His purpose and promise in our lives.”

Action Step:  

Take time this week to reflect on your own journey. Identify an area where you can trust God more deeply and express that faith through a specific action, whether it be reaching out for support, stepping out in faith, or embracing the divine purpose unfolding in your life.

Reading the scripture that reminds us to make room in our heart for Jesus! 

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

She will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel,

which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)

(RickECarder.com | Lancaster Wesleyan Church)