A Season of Travel
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:15-20
"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened." Luke 2:15
In some ways the Christmas season is a season of travel. The news is often filled with reports about busyness and congestion at major airports because of holiday travelers. Perhaps you have endured long lines, flights, or car rides to get to your destination and visit with people you know and love.
In the Bible we read that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem because they were of the family of David and a census was taking place there. It was not an easy journey for them because Mary was pregnant and would soon give birth (Luke 2:1-5).
After hearing that the Savior had been born, the shepherds exclaimed, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they also traveled, though probably not a great distance, into Bethlehem.
Later there were also wise men who traveled from the east, following a star to the newborn King. For them the long trip on the backs of camels was worthwhile; they wanted to worship Jesus (Matthew 2).
The most important traveler at Christmas, of course, was the Lord himself, who became human to live among us because of his great love for us. Whenever we travel to visit loved ones, let's remember that Christ traveled from heaven to earth to be with us.
Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to be with us always. Thank you for the comfort of knowing that through your Spirit you are never distant but always near. Amen.
About the author — Joel Sheeres
Rev. Joel Sheeres is the pastor at First Christian Reformed Church in Crown Point, Indiana. He and his wife, Christine, have three children. Pastor Sheeres has previously served at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.
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