A Christmas Devotional Thought From Luke

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David;)     Luke 2:4

Bethlehem.

     With all the swirling soap opera like situations going on in Israel at that moment in history: hopes of a great love; rumors of terrible betrayal; broken hearts; Roman legislation affecting the entire nation; this name stands out-Bethlehem.

     I wonder if Joseph made the connection. He was told the baby would save His people from their sins, so obviously this little one was special, surely anointed by God if He were to be the means of salvation for the Jewish people. Sounds like Messiah, right?

     As Joseph made preparations, as he walked with Mary, as he perspired under the burdens of the supplies they carried, as he became anxious for the trip to be at an end, did it finally dawn on him that the tax demanded by the Romans, with its excessive requirement to travel to one’s tribal/ancestral homeland no matter how inconvenient and difficult, was taking him and the pregnant Mary to the exact place where prophecy said Messiah would be born?

     Wow, this is a hard road, but it leads to God’s anointed one. The trip to Bethlehem, the trip to Christmas, the trip to find the one who is wrapped in swaddling clothes, is worth it for Joseph, for me, and for you, now and forever.