December 16

When you read this passage, what stood out to you? Perhaps it was the lineage of Joseph. Joseph belonged to the house of David and his family line. Joseph was part of the family tree of King David. That was a big deal to say that you were part of the line of David. If someone asked, what family do you belong to? What would be your answer? Would you answer with your biological family, the family you married into, or perhaps your adopted family? Maybe you thought of another family that you belong to, the family of God?

Maybe you noticed that the writer is describing a journey. A journey of a man and his fiancée, who was pregnant, who had to travel uphill from one city to another. The change in elevation from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 1400 feet, similar to the difference between Houston and Fredericksburg. While the distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem is about 70 miles as the crow flies, it would have been more like an 80 or 90-mile journey for Joseph and Mary. That is similar to the distance from Houston to Schulenburg. Traveling 80-90 miles on foot is one thing, but doing it with an elevation gain of 1400 feet is more like a hike and less like a walk.

What kind of journey has God invited you on this Advent season because you belong to the family of God? The Advent season is not intended to be a leisurely stroll, but rather a workout that is preparing us for what comes next. It is a journey we do not walk alone, but with others and with God, because we have been called.

Prayer: Gracious and loving God, continue to give us the strength, energy, and endurance to make this Advent journey. Help us to remember to give thanks for where we came from, to give thanks for where we are, that you walk with us, that you have called us, and that Christmas is not the end, it is the beginning of something new. Amen