Our God is with Us
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment when Quirinius was Governor of Syria. So all went out to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.” Luke 2 :1-5
The census is all over the news. There is talk of major redistricting in several states. Each political party is effected in some way. In my own area, we may be absorbed into another district and it would cover a very large portion of upstate that has very diverse needs. One issue that is of concern is that there are people who did not answer the census. Are the numbers correct? It was too much to remember to send the paperwork in so someone came to my house and I answered the required questions. What a different world.Mary and Joseph travelled probably over 90 miles through varied terrain and unfriendly areas to satisfy Ceaser’s census. Yet, we complain and moan while we have NO real understanding of true hardship. In the end what is asked of most of us is minimal. I often wonder where our faith would be if things were left up to me. I am thinking that there would be no faith or that in my weakness I might just give up. It is tempting at times when the questions of Advent bombard me, when the going gets tough. But there is always someone else to look to, someone who holds themselves to a higher standard. Someone who is less about what is happening outside of them than what is happening on the inside. Someone who propelled by a force much more intent then their own. Someone who is quietly fighting the good fight. Then there is also that star. The one that beckoned the wise men onward, the one that stopped the shepherds in their tracks, the one that terrified a tyrannical king. That same star is ignored by people who long to fester fear and division, that star is our reminder of who we are, a people of the Promise. A people of the Covenant. Our own census is taken in our hearts, our own districts are redrawn and once again we are called to the place where the One who truly represents us dwells. Emmanuel. Our chance here is to be the person that someone who is doubting look to for strength. Our opportunity is to be the people of witness that we are called to be. God knows our hearts, he knows how hard it was for Mary and Joseph to make their journey, God knows that with all of our distractions it is also hard for us. But God is with us….Emmanuel.
