Contemplative Christmas

Friday, December 20, 2024

Advent: Love, Day 6

Reading:

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.” [1]

Reflection:

Love is hard. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 80 miles. On foot, for a healthy person keeping a steady pace, the journey would require at least two days. Joseph, however, had a very pregnant wife traveling with him. As such, the journey probably required five or more days, if not a week or more. Traveling through the hills and on the rough roads would be a grueling, exhausting experience. To complete the journey would require a relentless focus on the end goal – in this case, Bethlehem.

As we seek to be reborn with Christ, our process of rebirth will take us through hills and valleys, times of doubt, times of joy, and times of difficulty. Like Joseph and Mary, completing the journey requires a relentless focus on the end goal. Unlike Joseph and Mary, our end goal is not a specific place. How do we know when we have arrived? How do we know we are still on the correct road? How do we even know where to begin? Answers to questions like these can only be discerned through prayer and faith, for there are no cookbook-like instructions for rebirth.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was not a conscious decision on Joseph and Mary’s part. It was because they were in Bethlehem for the census when the child was ready to be born. In a similar way, we cannot always control the circumstances under which we encounter Emmanuel – God with us. It may come at a most unexpected and inconvenient time, but if we seek it, it will come.

Closing Meditation:

Sit quietly and contemplate the ways in which Emmanuel might enter into your life.

Journal the thoughts and feelings that arise.

This daily series, Contemplative Christmas, is replacing my weekly Life Notes until January 6, 2025, when my weekly blog will resume. The thoughts expressed here are mine. To engage with me: ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] Luke 2:1,4