I have an interesting book in my library that is entitled, “The Seventy Great Journeys in History.” The book highlights many important journeys, including that of Marco Polo, Ferdinand Magellan, David Livingstone, Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, St. Paul, Hannibal, Lewis and Clark, Christopher Columbus, Charles Lindbergh.
But I would include one other journey in the list. A journey that took place many years ago in ancient Palestine. The journey of a carpenter named Joseph and his wife, Mary. An eighty mile journey across rugged terrain over ten days, from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Something that made the journey extra difficult is that Mary was pregnant. Very pregnant. The baby was due at any time.
Joseph and Mary were forced by the occupying Romans to make this journey to register for a census in the town of his birth. The journey changed their lives. Ultimately, it changed all of history.
Are you on a journey of some kind today? Journeys can sure be challenging. They can be frustrating. Sometimes they can be life changing.
Whatever journey you are on today, as He did for Mary and Joseph, may God give you strength for each step of the way. And as we prepare for Christmas, may we remember once again the journey of Joseph and Mary. May God help us to remember and celebrate in a meaningful way the birth of that holy child, the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world.