Great Things Come From Where?

Joseph had let his expectant wife sleep in, but he couldn’t wait any longer to wake her. He had hoped the warmth of the climbing sun would allow her to wake in a better mood before delivering such news.

Yawning, Mary looked up at Joseph and asked, “What are you doing waking me up this early?”

“Well, Mary, it appears we are going to have to make a trip,” Joseph said in a low whisper while his thumb flowed over her smooth cheek. “The governor has said we all have to go to our hometown to be counted for the new tax that’s coming. We must travel to Bethlehem.”

Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and she blurted, “We have to do what, go where, and when?” Other thoughts whirled around in her mind, too. “Surely that’s not correct. Maybe I heard him wrong. If not, there’s no way they’d expect someone in my condition to go.”

Grabbing Mary’s hand, Joseph gazed into her eyes. “We don’t have a choice. The  governor said we have to go. I will do my best to make you comfortable. We can do this together.”

They packed for their ten-day journey to Bethlehem. Knowing Mary had to leave the comfort of her home, Joseph made sure he carried extra blankets and food for his mother-to-be.

Off they went from Nazareth. Though the journey was long and tiring, Mary did okay, thanks to Joseph’s kept promises.  The problem was when they got to Bethlehem. Joseph had done his best to get a room lined up, but nothing had worked out yet. The search continued. They went from one place to the next. Each time the answer was the same, “We have no more rooms available.”

Even though most had been nice by telling them the next place to try, it was getting beyond frustrating. “Please, Joseph. I can’t go much farther. My feet are swollen and I’m really hurting. I’ll take anything!”

Joseph knocked on one more door. The innkeeper sighed then let out, “We have no rooms.”

Joseph blocked the closing door with his arm, and protested, “But, sir, my wife is expecting a child any day and we have travelled so far. We just need any place to lay our head.”

Raising his hand to his chin, the innkeeper paused briefly, then continued, “We do have a stable.”

Joseph reluctantly accepted.  “We will take it.”

While getting Mary situated inside the stable, Joseph realized his young wife might not let him live this down. She would hold it over his head for the rest of their lives. Then, he saw a grimace come over her face. Trying to make things up to her, he quickly grabbed more blankets for her to lay on. That didn’t help, so he pushed some hay under the top part of her blanket to prop her head up. Nothing seemed to work. Mary was miserable.

Letting out a loud groan, Mary slowly spoke, “Joseph, we are going to have the baby right here in this, this stable.”

“No, Mary. It’s just not right,” Joseph remarked as he gripped her hand tightly. “You can’t. You will have to wait.”

Mary grinned slightly, and stated matter-of-factly, “Joseph, the baby is not waiting. He is coming tonight.”

In all the panic that pursued, Joseph had not noticed the bright lights in the sky. Mary hadn’t either. She was busy wrapping her newborn son in the rags they had gathered, and laid Him in the manger to sleep.

Soon, they had visitors. Shepherds begin to show up, kneel, and worship, Mary’s mind flashed back to the angel, Gabriel’s visit, and she began to worship also. Any remaining doubt Joseph carried, melted away. He, too, joined them in worshipping.

This wasn’t what Mary or Joseph had planned. Like every parent, they wanted their child to be born in the best of surroundings and the best of conditions. I mean, a stable of all places. Really? Born in hay surrounded by animals would be horrific for any family. Definitely not the likely place for the King of Kings to be born. Yet, in a Bethlehem stable, Jesus was born due to a government census for a tax. It had to happen this way so prophecy would be fulfilled .

Is there a circumstance in your life or someone you’re discouraged in, believing nothing good can come out of this? If so, remember Jesus wasn’t exactly what the Jews had in mind. Their expectations were much different, yet something GREAT came out of Nazareth. Jesus changed the world and He had a simple birth, a simple life, and was a simple man with a powerful message. Great things can come from what looks hopeless to you too.

May you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! May every reader be full of God’s favor and blessings as they celebrate the One who sets us free!

Feel free to share this story with your family and friends on Facebook or at your get-togethers. Jesus is the reason for the season!

© 2023, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.