“The time came for [Mary] to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (LK 2:6-7)
Sometimes, after all the planning, coordinating, preparing and anticipating – things just don’t always go as we had hoped for or as we had planned. They just don’t. We anticipate things will come to pass as planned, promised or expected. However, we are often left disappointed or even angered when things don’t meet our expectations or bring us a desired result. How would you respond if your food order wasn’t correct? It is too hot or too cold or it’s not even what you ordered or exactly how you ordered it. How would you respond? What if someone else is in your seat or the reservation record can not be found on the day of your departure? How would you respond to these situations? Will it be helpful or hurtful? Please keep in mind God will provide more food, he will find you another seat and he will offer you another room perhaps in another inn. I can only imagine what it must be like traveling with our Mother Mary and Father Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. What must they be thinking about? How do they feel about the unknown? What are they thinking about the precious cargo they are carrying and have been entrusted to care for? When they finally arrive, things don’t seem to be going as planned. There is no reservation, no room, no food, not even a place to sit. But they trust that God will provide, he always does. God always provides. God decides a cave, in all its simplicity is the best and natural place for the Son of God to enter into this world. It is a poor but simple and humble setting – almost as if God is recreating in nature preparing once again to say, “let there be light.” Do you sense the peace Mary and Joseph are experiencing in total submission to God’s will? The peace they are enjoying even in a moment of urgency? What if there is a change required in your life? Perhaps that change is happening now. Ask Mary and Joseph to accompany to help you and to pray for you in your moment of need.