The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph went on an incredible journey to get to the birth of Christ – one of the most important events in the history of the world. The journey for them was two-fold: Physical and emotional.

The physical journey consisted of travelling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, roughly 80 miles. Eighty miles may not seem like a great distance to us, but that is 80 miles travelled by foot or beast of burden. At the time of this journey Mary could be nine months pregnant with Jesus. Instead of nesting and getting ready to give birth to her first born, she is on an incredibly physical journey. God is with them on this journey.

Before the physical journey could begin, they were on an incredible emotional journey. Life seems to be going well according to everyone's standards. They are betrothed, getting ready to be married, and looking to start their lives together and now God has different plans. Mary seems to be a bit more at peace with things than Joseph. Joseph doesn't quite know what to think or do about the news that Mary is pregnant, not by him. Social convention would be to divorce her and shame her publicly. He didn't want her to be punished, which could include stoning to death, so he was set to do things quietly. God revealed His plan and promise to them. God is with them on this journey.

The physical and emotional journey didn't end with the birth of Jesus. They had to flee for their lives because of a tyrannical ruler. They had to go to a foreign land where they would be out of his jurisdiction to receive protection. It wasn't until a few years later they could begin their journey home. Even in following the plan and promise of God the journey was difficult. God is with them on this journey.

Just like Mary and Joseph, we are all on a journey to the birth of Christ. For some of us the journey might be physical, dealing with aches, pains and illnesses. For others the journey might be emotional – not knowing what to do, not having things go according to our plan or struggling with the confusion that social convention is spewing at us. Or perhaps the journey is both physical and emotional, the double whammy. We were never promised that the journey to the birth of our Savior would be easy, but we are promised that God is with us this journey.

Mary and Joseph taught us to listen to God's plan and promise no matter what! They taught us that the journey of life will not always be easy or go according to our plan. They taught us that following God's will mean that we won't always fit in with everyone else. Most importantly they showed us that no matter how difficult the journey is that we face in this life, God keeps His promises to us and has provided salvation to all who believe in Him.

This Christmas believe in the promises of God, trust the truth of His inerrant Word and find strength in the power of His protection. God is with you as you journey to not just to Christmas but journey to Jesus, your Savior.