Monday, December 24, 2007
Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
WAS BETHLEHEM WORTHY?
In this first reading of the week we see the Christ arriving at the small Judean village of Bethlehem, being born to a young girl named Mary. Ask yourself: was Bethlehem worthy of being the birthplace of the Lord of lords? Was Mary worthy of being mother to the King of kings? Was Joseph worthy of being stepfather to the Prince of Peace? Was a manger, the feeding trough of animals, worthy of holding the Savior of the world?
No.
But Christ came anyway. This is the great mystery of God's love: Christ came anyway.
Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Savior of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above,
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God Incarnate and the Virgin's Son.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 84:1)
