Running Late

Once, I got behind a car with a license plate that read, RUNNGL8T.

I laughed.

“Well, sister, I’m behind you reading it so guess who’s even later?”

I should get my own license plate that reads, L8TRTHNU. Lol!!

I am a perpetually late person. I’m not exactly sure why. I guess it’s because I don’t want to be the first person to arrive at any given event. It’s awkward and it requires social conversation and niceties, neither of which I’m very good at. I’d rather just slip in quietly and hang out in the back with a clear path to the exit. Maybe because I’m Baptist.

I drive my husband nuts! He’s spent 32 years telling me to hurry up. It always flusters me, and I inevitably forget something … IMPORTANT! Then we’re both mad … and late. I am also an anxious person – as in anxiety, not eagerness. This causes the connection between my brain and my bladder to go haywire creating even more anxiety. I’m basically a human chihuahua: nervous, a little shaky, always having to pee, and losing hair. Needless to say, David and I hardly ever leave on time.

It makes me think of Joseph and Mary. When it came time to leave for Nazareth, do you think Joseph told Mary to hurry up as she was packing and getting ready and double checking everything? Did she get flustered when he urged her to come on as she was going through the house making sure the fire was out, the doors and windows were locked, a light was left on, the toilet wasn’t running nor any of the faucets, they hadn’t forgotten their toothbrush or underwear and had plenty of snacks? Was Joseph tapping his foot and threatening to head out without her as she went to the restroom one more time and made sure nothing was left plugged in?

When they finally reached Bethlehem and saw the crowded little village with donkeys and carts parked in every available spot, did he turn to her and say, “See? I told you we were going to get here late. We’ll be lucky if we can rent a room.”

Maybe not. They were newlyweds after all. Those conversations come later, when marriages become more seasoned and couples aren’t afraid to point out the little irritations that bother each other so much.

Truthfully, I believe Joseph and Mary might have had an inkling they wouldn’t be coming back to Nazareth any time soon. Mary was getting very near her due date, so they probably planned on staying in Bethlehem for a while. It must have been difficult saying good-bye to their friends and relatives, not knowing if or when they would see them again. After all, many of them were probably preparing for their own journey home. Caesar had decreed it. They didn’t really have a choice. (Gotta pay those taxes!)

Joseph and Mary had to pack all their belongings, taking only what they could carry, perhaps packed onto a donkey or a cart. It wouldn’t be much either way. I wonder: Were they sad to leave their friends, their family, their possessions, their home, their way of life? Were they excited about starting a new life? Were they nervous knowing they were about to be the parents of Jesus? There are so many things left unsaid that we could speculate about for hours. But, the most important details about Christ’s birth are recorded for us. (Isn’t that amazing within itself? That we can read about the birth of Christ? So cool!).

Luke 2: 1-5: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

It’s possible Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem for a few days before Jesus was born. Although they didn’t have a nice room at the inn, the stable at least offered shelter, privacy, and soft hay to rest on. It was not where one would expect a king to be born, but it shows how Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, not live the high life. Besides what does the world have to offer that doesn’t pale in comparison to Heaven? Jesus made himself lowly to make himself approachable and available to all who seek him: rich and poor, mighty and feeble, those with great power and those who are just managing to survive.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

His gift of salvation is available to everyone, no conditions apply. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you have done or haven’t done. Promise! All you need to do is accept Him.

Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

There is debate about when Jesus was actually born. Most likely, it was NOT December 25th. Let’s face it, who wants to be out in a field in the dead of winter watching sheep? No one. That’s who! It was more likely the fall or spring when the temperature was a bit more tolerable. So, why was December 25th chosen? Possibly to coincide with the pagan Roman festival of the return of the “unconquered sun”, signifying longer days to come. (I, myself, also celebrate the coming of longer, warmer days. It’s usually just a little happy dance with a song I made up myself, but it’s still a celebration). It followed another Roman festival, Saturnus, which was celebrated by exchanging gifts and feasting (So, you can thank the Romans for those extra holiday pounds).

Can you imagine being a shepherd, kicked back under the stars, half asleep listening to the sheep softly bleating in the background when BLAM! The sky lights up and there’s an angel telling you that Jesus had been born. It’s understandable why they were sore afraid. Then the one angel is joined by a multitude of angels, praising God. What a sight! What a message! “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:15-20 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

In their excitement, the shepherds hurried to see for themselves what had been told to them. Can you imagine their faces when they saw the baby Jesus in the manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes just exactly as the angel and told them? Did they know they were the first ones to see Jesus? Their excitement is evidenced in verse 17: “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” They wanted to tell everyone the news! If the shepherds weren’t believers before, they surely were now as they returned to the fields, glorifying and praising God for allowing them to be witnesses to it all. If only we shared the same zeal as the shepherds that night.

There is much more in the story of Jesus birth, too much to include here. (Please take a few moments to read Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:16, 18-25; Matthew 2:1-23; Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-40.)

So, as I sit here writing just a few short days before Christmas, be assured that I am late on Christmas, too. No tree up yet, still shopping, no menu planned, no baking done, no wrapping paper bought. It will be a mad dash for sure, but hopefully all will come together, culminating into a memorable Christmas day.

And even though Joseph and Mary were late arriving in Bethlehem and weren’t quite ready for their big event, it all worked out beautifully and just as it should have. Their timing turned out to be perfect after all.

This Christmas, I wish you all a beautiful Christmas day filled with all the people and things you love. But most of all, I wish you the gift of knowing Jesus in your heart.

Much love to you all!

Blessings!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4nvVw8z6K8