Little Jesus is asleep in Mary’s arms, and as I look at them, I can see her eyes are growing heavy as well. We’ve begun to settle into being parents, and as I think back to everything Mary and I have been through up to this point, and it all seems to be an adventure.
We arrived here in Bethlehem after the long journey, and I could see in Mary’s face that she was very tired and uncomfortable. Arriving at the time we did, there weren’t any rooms readily available with our relatives. Seeing Mary in the condition she was, they quickly led us to a warm, dry area where the animals were often bedded at night. It wasn’t the grandest of accommodations by any stretch of the imagination, but the ladies chose it for its privacy and functionality. I had hoped that this night would be so much more for Mary than hay and the scent of livestock.
The arrival of the shepherds and their incredible story of the angelic visitation put things back into perspective. Here amidst the hay and livestock smells, a most holy child was born, and heaven rejoiced to the point of appearing to the shepherds in the countryside to announce the momentous occasion! The Messiah, the Savior of our people, had come into our world in the form of this little babe that Mary has been holding. What an amazing event to behold.
When I think back to the day Mary told me the news of her pregnancy, which was a day I’ll never forget. Only hours later I was dreaming and an angel visited me in the dream and confirmed Mary’s story along with giving me instruction on what to do next. Those events were the beginning of my portion of this adventure that we look to be living for the rest of our lives.
I’ve got to be honest with myself; I have a peace in that we will be safe and provided for, but I don’t have a long range, detailed plan for the next months or years. I have a good idea of how I would like to see our lives fall into place, but as I’ve learned over the past months, life doesn’t always go as you’ve planned.
As I sit here in Bethlehem with Mary and this little baby, it is so far from what I had envisioned for us. I had been preparing our home in Nazareth when she returned from visiting Elizabeth, and my world was turned upside down.
Through all of the changes to my plans, I must say that God has been faithful to us. When I think of all of the things that we have faced, we have experienced His grace to carry us through time and time again. I don’t have a grand understanding of everything we are experiencing now or will face in the future, but I know that I can count on Him to take care of us.
As a builder I like plans, as they help me to construct things. I had a plan for the life Mary and I would build and share, but that plan is just a memory. At first we were too busy for it to bother me much, but as time progressed, there was a part of me that longed for that old plan, that vision of what life was going to be. It has been hard to deal with that sorrow over what might have been, but as I’ve watched God move in our lives time and time again, I have come to understand that what might have been is not as important as what God wants there to be. My plan was just that – it was MY plan. It revolved around what I wanted. I now understand that God’s plan includes me, and I am part of His plan. He has given me Mary as my wife, the woman that He has chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. He has chosen me to be the earthly father of this child, this Holy child. His plan is so much larger than I will ever be able to comprehend, yet He has chosen me to play this part.
I’ve embraced my part as an honorable part. I am in awe that He chose me, and it makes all the difference in the world to me when I begin to feel inadequate. He wouldn’t have chosen me if He did not have plans for me to succeed by His mercy and grace. I am inadequate in myself, but through Him I can do what He has asked of me.
Thoughts to Consider
The plans that we have in life often revolve around ourselves – what we like, what we want, what we think will make us happy, etc. God’s plan for us is infinitely larger than the plans we create for ourselves, as His plan involves us in a much bigger plan that belongs to Him. We are selected by Him to play a role in a grand plan He has meticulously thought through and prepared, and He will be there to help us complete our portion if we will look to Him for guidance as we walk out our part.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for including me in Your plan and for the plan You have for my life. I ask You to help me to understand what You have created me for and asked of me for my life. I know that You are a good manager, and what You ask of me You prepare me for and provide what I need in order for me to accomplish it. Help me to see Your vision of my life and to walk close to You so that I may fulfill it. Thank You for meeting my every need and Your faithfulness in helping me finish the course You have set before me.
I ask this in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus,
Amen
