And everyone went to their own town to register. 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.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2: 1 -7
Can you imagine?
The President declares that for the once every ten year census, you must return to the city where your earliest ancestors to live in the United States settled.
As far as I know, that's Frankenmuth, Michigan for our family. Since he was a carpenter, maybe Joseph could work along the way or trade his skills to feed Mary, himself, and their transport. However that worked, it must be more difficult than make a roadside stop at a Golden Arches.
Instead of a donkey, we have 4, 6, or maybe 8 cylinders under the hood. Sure sounds easier than 20 or so miles a day on foot and with an farm animal.
When you travel this Christmas, think of Jesus' earthly family and think of yours.
Six people in a four door sedan traveling 300 miles over 7 hours (including stops) doesn't sound bad at all now, does it?
I recall a several state trip the Christmas after our first son was born. There was a stretch through Minnesota when that boy would not stop crying. Well, not crying exactly, more like full-scale emergency broadcast system wailing to be precise. Nothing seemed to calm him down. Ah, the joy of travel.
If at the end of the trip we had found out our motel gave away our room? Forget about it. That would be big trouble, and as adaptabile as I like to think I might be, I probably couldn't see agreeing to use the pole shed out back where we could park our car to rest in overnight.
As we celebrate the wonder, beauty, and miracle of Christmas this year - I'm thinking of the incredible way the story is something we can grasp.
Instead of arriving with a bolt of lightning, Jesus was born like we were (although in more humble surroundings). Not a welcome fit for most kings, except this King of Kings is our substitute - living a life of fulfilling and keeping the laws we can't - and taking our faults, flaws, and dark blots to the cross where His blood washed them all away.
That's a great present for all. I hope you have a blessed Christmas with your family, and that you don't complain too much about the trip home.
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