Warriors Arise: December 28, 2021
Luke 2:16 (NKJV) And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
With my first child, I was unsure about going home from the hospital. I wasn't secure on this "nursing" thing. What was naturally supplied while she was in the womb, now changed. She was pretty well protected in the womb and nourished, but now she would have to work for the nourishment and I would have to eat healthy, non spicy foods. In the womb, I did not worry about her head being supported or every germ upon everyone who reached out to touch her. Going home meant we were on our own. We would have to figure it out, but what if we didn't?
Even though Joseph and Mary had been given the stable to stay for the night it has now been a couple of nights. This was not a home. How would they keep they baby safe from disease and sickness that comes with the chill of the night air? The angel didn't tell them what to do now. How long would they be allowed to stay in the stable? Where would they go? By Jewish law Mary was unclean for 33 days, because of the blood released when a male child was born. But this is Joseph's, hometown. He must have other relatives who journeyed back for the census. Was he out during the day trying to find his relatives? I am certain he did not want His betrothed and the Son of God to remain in the stable.
Luke 2:21 (NKJV) And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb
We know for sure five things happened while they were in Bethlehem:
The shepherds came to see the baby the angel spoke up and the heavenly hosts sang about.
The baby was circumcised on the 8th day.
Upon Mary's 33rd day she went to the temple when her days of purification were over. (Luke 2:22-24)
Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus, blessed and prophesied over Him. Luke 2:25-38
The wisemen came to worship the King of the Jews and give their gifts.
During this time of at least 33 days, were they still in the stable? Had Joseph found his family? His father and any brothers would have had to return to Bethlehem for the census as well. Had Joseph gone out for find His father and brothers while Mary was taking care of Jesus? They were there for at least 33 days. I am thinking they would have had to find somewhere else to stay, than in the stable for that duration of time. We also do not know how long the census would take. The king's men would have gone from city to city and village to village counting everyone. This would take months. They had to arrive in their family's birth place at a specific time but that doesn't mean they were counted that day. What is my point? What are we do to in the meantime? They couldn't stay in the stable day after day in the uncertainty of when the census would be declared over. Maybe they had plans to return to Galilee, but the census had to take place first.
I don't have the answers. But when we read verse stacked up against each other be can forget the time that passes between verses. Jospeh was responsible for finding place for Mary, the baby and Himself. I do not think the stayed in the stable or cave for her 33 days. What grandma doesn't want to see her grandson, her son and the woman her son will marry? Joseph's parents would have been there. If they had passed away, then at least his brothers would be there. It would be very surprising if he was an only child.
Be careful of remaining stuck in a place of provision permanently when it was meant to meet the need at the time but not set in stone forever. That place of provision could have turned into a nightmare as Jesus would have been exposed to diseases carried from the animals and the chilly night air. There would have been no privacy for Mary as the shepherds came to get their sheep, household servants milked the cows, and the children came to gather the eggs etc.
Father, there are times You have provided and I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to move on. That place had so many memories, meeting lots of wonderful people, and You showed up. I do not want to make permanent what was only meant to be temporary. I do not want to be afraid of embracing the day to day responsibilities or planning for the future. Obviously, things can change in a moment but while I am where You have me I want to embrace all that You have in the here and now. I do not want to abdicate my responsibilities waiting on what to do next. I want to recognize when You have provided for a moment and know when to plan for what we need next. I pray for ears to hear You and embrace responsibility to move into what is next in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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