“4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
- Luke 2:4-7
When will it get easier?
Parents of newborns ask and hope it will be easier when their child starts sleeping through the night. Kids in school ask this question, hoping Christmas and summer breaks come quickly. Every married couple asks this question, praying there will be a season when things aren’t so difficult. People ask when it will get easier with their finances, their health, and relationships. The truth of the matter is, just because something isn’t easy doesn’t mean we aren’t in the center of God’s will.
Joseph and Mary didn’t have it easy. Their relationship started with difficulty, preparing to bring the Son of God into the world, to raise Him and prepare Him to fulfill all of God’s promises. On top of all that, the Roman emperor commanded everyone take part in a census, requiring them to go back to Joseph’s hometown. Can you imagine how difficult it must have been to make the ninety mile journey, nine months pregnant? Joseph probably kept saying, “Just hang on until we get there, I promise we will get the best room available.” Think of what must have been going through their minds as they arrived, Mary’s labor pains in full strength, no rooms, not a solitary soul willing to give up their spot so Mary could bring Jesus into the world. As Joseph cleared the animals away from their pen so Mary would have a place to give birth, it was anything but a silent night. I wonder if they were thinking, “I thought doing God’s will would be easier than this.”? This is the welcome the Son of God should receive? Strips of cloth in a feed trough?
As you hang your ornament, remember, being in the center of God’s will doesn’t mean things will be easy, but God’s peace can never be overwhelmed by life’s difficulties. Trust Him and keep hanging on.