Healing Rays of Righteousness

I remember as a young teen-ager walking home from the neighbor’s house after darkness had settled across the field, railroad tracks, small stream, and meadow that separated our two houses. I remember how much less fearful I was when I could see the porch light of our house, and how relieved I was to have the darkness of the night give way to the bright lights of home.

I think of this experience whenever I read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and ponder the many difficulties that Mary experienced in giving birth to Jesus. It was difficult for Mary to walk anywhere in her hometown without hearing derogatory whispers and remarks about her pregnancy. Her joy of carrying the promised Christ child was many times tainted with the hurt of cynical neighbors. The pregnancy was not pleasant.

The trip to Bethlehem was imposed on them by the government authorities. And the timing of the mandated trip could not have been worse. Mary is heavy with child, making walking difficult and riding atop a donkey uncomfortable. For many hours and miles, she alternates between walking and riding, feeling every bump in the road, every misstep of the donkey as it was pulled along by Joseph. The journey to Bethlehem was not pleasant.

Mary and Joseph’s bodies ache with soreness and exhaustion when they enter Bethlehem. They must find a guest room to rest. But the only room available was with the innkeeper’s smelly animals. At least they could rest on the straw, and there was a manger that could be used as a protected place for the baby if it should be born that night. The night’s lodging place was neither comfortable nor pleasant.

Some weeks later the government authorities again interfered, causing Mary and Joseph the need to flee to Egypt with their baby until the nation’s ruler died. When Mary and Joseph left home in Nazareth they never planned for this trip into Egypt. Everything seemed to be happening contrary to the way Mary dreamed it would be. This intrusion into their family plans was neither easy nor pleasant.

From the moment of the angel’s announcement to Mary of Jesus’ birth and until the moment of his death at Calvary, life for Mary and Joseph took many unplanned, difficult, and painful turns. Nevertheless, they remained faithful in believing God’s promise to them and submitted to his plan for their lives as honored recipients and parents of God’s gift to the world.

During this past year, life has not been easy for many of us. There were unexpected bumps in the journey that have shaken us with confusion. There were twists and turns we did not expect. There were major detours that caused us much uncertainty, fear, and grievous losses. With so much confusion, pain, and darkness, we may find it difficult to find a reason or desire to celebrate Christmas.

However, I encourage you to hear the invitation of the Christmas carol, “And you, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow: Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.” 

God enters our world and pierces the darkness of doubt and fear with the joy and peace of his light and presence. This is God’s Christmas gift to the world, to all of us.It is his answer to our brokenness. It confirms the prophetic voices that God wants to do something about our failures and fears, our pain and confusion; that he wants to forgive, heal, and restore us to wholeness.

Even as darkness and doubts may be clouding your thoughts and spirit this Christmas Day, hear the message of the heavenly angel, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:10-11). This is God’s gift to you and me. Let us receive, open, and gratefully treasure it now and throughout the coming new year.

Let us pray.     

“O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend on us, we pray, cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today! We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Immanuel.”

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 12/4/24