Monday: The Journey 14

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters, and welcome to the first day of winter and the day with the least amount of daylight and welcome to Christmas Week... Merry CHRISTmas. Today is Monday and the day we pray for our leaders, and brothers and sisters, they do need our prayers. Pray also today for our veterans and please remember those 18 and 19 year old veterans who are coming home from war disabled and please remember the families of those not coming home at all as they gave their lives for the people of the United States of America and other countries. Please also pray for our current military and their families and our police officers and their families and also firefighters and those who work the ambulances that fly and drive on land... A really good group of people who devote their lives to our safety and some, like firefighters in the most part, do it for free.

The Journey 14: Luke 2:1 - In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (NIV)

I must tell you that the very first year I wrote about the journey, and that was a lot of years ago, it just started out as this part of the journey. Since then it has grown. Folks, I also never look back at past notes on what I wrote as I just ask God to give it to me fresh each year. I have found out that as we read the Bible and look through it God opens more and more to us each time... a different way to look at it. But note, the ending is always the same as so is our Lord Jesus.

Today let's take a look at this call to census, or should I say a call to be taxed. After all the only reason our governments right up to today want to have a census is so they know where to send the tax bill. Yes, they gather other information, but taxes is the bottom line.

Now if we were to take this journey today we would jump in our car, or maybe even take a plane, and make that trip in nothing flat. I sort of laughed with myself the other day when I saw people waiting in Philly to get a plane that was delayed to get to Harrisburg. Why would anyone fly from Philly to Harrisburg? Get on the train, or in a car or on the bus. All are faster than the plane if you consider waiting time. Anyway, back in the days of Caesar Augustus travel was limited to just a few things... most popular was walking and then they had camels, donkeys and horses. In our journey we find Joseph going from the town of Nazareth in Galilee up to Bethlehem. Of course he had Mary and I would think that Mary would have sat on the donkey for most of the trip and more than likely sideways on the animal. Let me talk to you about the donkey. Have you ever seen a donkey? Have you looked at it real close? Do you know to this date it is still carrying the cross of our Lord Jesus? If you see a dark colored donkey you will see a light stripe down the back of the animal from the neck to the top of the tail and then also across the shoulders forming the cross. On a light donkey the colors are reversed. I have never seen a donkey that did not have the cross. Now I guess if I were real smart and knew the distances between these towns I could tell you about how long this trip took, but let's face it, being with child, on a donkey, is not how you would think a lady about to give birth would want to spend the last night...

Ladies, put your feet in those shoes of Mary... You are with child, you are starting to go into labor and your husband tells you... I will go out and get the donkey and we will go to the hospital. Think of how Mary must have felt, how uncomfortable she must have been on that animal's back. I mean as nice as the animal is and as sure footed they are, it does not have shocks on their legs. I would think she was really looking forward to that room at the inn. Maybe some of you might relate a little if you ever were expecting to be home in your bed or at your hotel room and your trip got delayed. Maybe it happened this weekend and you spent the night sleeping in a chair in the airport. Or maybe your heat was out in the house so you went to your car to turn on the heat. I know how when we have been out doing our Santa thing in the bus and we have a big day how we look forward to getting home and have a bed to stretch out in. Think of how Mary was looking forward to that, and then it happened... Tomorrow... What would the trip be like for Joseph?

Dear Father in Heaven... When we really get into the journey and how the things led up to the manager, we start to realize that it was not easy leading up to this. Working for You, Father, might not be easy all the time, in fact it might never be really easy. But these lessons You are teaching us, and really, me, shows how the hard work for You is all worth it for us. Lord, may we never turn down the work You ask us to do. Lord, be with those on our prayer list today, be with our leaders and their families. And Lord, I pray that our leaders in Washington would get to a point where we could trust them. Lord, bless our veterans and our military and all those who work to keep us safe and healthy. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Now go forth sharing your blessings. Today we have more families coming to get food from the pantry. Folks, we need to remember that people eat year round... thanks for sharing your blessings... please consider supporting your local food pantry or ours. love ya, dan.

Carry The Light Ministries
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Mechanicsburg, Pa 17050
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