Daily Devotional: On our way to Bethlehem

Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders
·1 min read

"Joseph (and Mary) also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David." — Luke 2.4 NRSVUE

Michael Sanders
Michael Sanders

Ah! Christmas! A time of wonder but also a time we must be about our business of living. Somewhere during the hanging of ornaments and the buying of presents we may question our ability to make our way to Bethlehem and experience that sacred moment near the end of December.

My New Testament professor, Dr. R. Alan Culpepper, speaks to this in his excellent commentary on Luke:

"How will we get to Bethlehem? In Matthew, the magi are directed by great learning, by their ability to interpret the movements of stars and planets in the heavens and by the learning of the sages in Jerusalem. In Luke, however, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem as a family going about the business of life. The shepherds go to Bethlehem by dramatic, heavenly revelation.” *

So, it is with great comfort I number myself with the holy family. In this season I have friends to visit, family to connect with, cards to send out, concerts to attend, snow to shovel, all part of the business of my daily life. And somehow, God in His infinite wisdom and providential power, will get me to Bethlehem this year. See you there!

Prayer: Lord, whether by our faith, a miraculous event, or a mind open to Your glory, You get us where we need to be. Thank You!

* Page 66 The New Interpreter’s Bible Abingdon Press copyright 1995

Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders has written books of devotions, available locally at Ken’s Village Market in Indian River.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: On our way to Bethlehem