Tag: birth

Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles.
Edwin Louis Cole

A most important word – expect. During the last four weeks we have been tuning our abilities to stay alert and expect. In most homes this preparation involves creating a sense of familiar, a comfort in tradition. Trees are decorated and parties are hosted. Families gather to share meals and gifts.

All of this is expected. Yet there is a greater expectation in the air. The kind that fills the earth with a sense of awe and wonder. Against a backdrop of the impossible, behind doors strange and unfamiliar – everything is in place for God’s miracle to come into this world.

A required census, takes Joseph and Mary far from home to be counted in the town of Joseph’s roots.

To imagine for a moment – riding a donkey pregnant and full-term. So many miles — to a place where there are few friends or contacts. They knew no one and struggled to find a place to rest and prepare for a birth. The road was rough. They entered Bethlehem weary and cautious. The baby has begun to make his move and his mother had to find someplace, any place.

In the town considered home to Joseph – there was no place for him to stay with his family.

How can you prepare when so little is in your control? All this time to wait for the expected.

It seems, once again, God knows the way to get the world’s attention. In a barn, behind an inn – He is born. God has come among us in spite of these apparent limitations.

Behind an unfamiliar door, inside an unknown stable – the moment is here. A baby is born.

So it seems that being prepared is different from being in control. We are called to be prepared and to stay alert. The miracle comes in an unexpected place – at an unexpected time.

And all the heavens sing…

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