Untimely Circumstances
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After Mary’s departure from Elizabeth’s house, she returned home. Baby John, John the Baptist, was born, named, recognized, and praised just as Zachariah had been told by Gabriel. Now, Mary and Joseph’s story continues unfolding. Luke chapter two.
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.a 2This was the first census to take place whileb Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
Some things to take note of here as we begin this journey with the young couple:
When Mary went to Elizabeth’s, as soon as Gabriel left her, Elizabeth was then six months pregnant. After staying with her for three months, her cousin was ready to have her baby and Mary went back home. Unless the Lord advanced her pregnancy in a way we are not privy to, Mary would have been in her third month of pregnancy as she returned back to her home in Galilee. Therefore, when the story picks up here in Luke two when Mary is close to delivering her own baby, another six months have passed.
Life Preparations
I wonder how young Jewish brides prepared for their espoused husbands to arrive back to them, and for their final marriage ceremony. Whatever it was, it wasn’t usually done with a growing baby inside their womb. What happened in the void of time in these scriptural accounts while Elizabeth spent days and nights nursing a newborn and Mary contemplated her delivery? Whatever the details, Mary and Joseph must have been making life preparations as the Roman emperor announced his own plans.
A New Journey
Off to Bethlehem.
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.a 2This was the first census to take place whileb Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
Luke 2:1-3
Last Trimester
When I was expecting our firstborn, I was regularly asked, including by the L&D nurses as I waddled through their open door, if I was expecting twins. I can’t blame anyone who questioned my 5′ frame carrying my large baby and too much fluid, but I can assure you I was ready to have my baby long before my body’s go switch got flipped.
Do you recall your last month of your pregnancy/ies? I truly don’t believe I’ve ever met a woman in her late third trimester who didn’t say something like, “I’m so ready!” Mary probably was fain to give birth, and likely, just like the rest of us, the sooner the better.
Yet, in very untimely circumstances, the entire Roman world was purported to show up and be counted. Another trip was at hand. This time with her husband and her very pregnant self.
Not a great a time for a trip, wouldn’t you agree?
What probably was seen as an inopportune time for her-them-was 100 percent God’s plan coming to pass exactly as He appointed it to be.
Now gather yourself in troops, O daughter of troops; he has laid siege against us; they will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, (ef-rah’-thu) though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
Micha 5:1-2
Bethlehem
O Little town of Bethlehem. Hold that thought. Bethlehem was indeed a little, humble, otherwise un-important little town: a little town among thousands. Its name means: house of bread. Ephrathah (ef-rah’-thu): fertile. Oh little town of Bethlehem was pinned on the map long before Mary was born to be the birthplace not only of King David, but also of Jesus Christ, Ruler of Israel, Bread of Life.
Friends, the earth is still in place as it was from creation. From old. From everlasting. God is still doing His work. When our work is done here in this life, He will take us to be with Him and His Son Jesus in glory, should His return tarry. Therefore, as we walk with our Lord as Mary and Joseph did, until that day, our circumstances aren’t haphazardly falling into our lap. No matter how untimely something feels to you or me, when we are walking with the Lord it is Our God, from old, Our God, from everlasting, who is setting our path before us.
Don’t be afraid. Go with confidence with Him knowing He’s there with you every step and that will never change. Mary’s road looked frightful, unwelcome and mistimed from the first appearance of Gabriel, didn’t it? We are blessed to know the rest of the story here, but she was IN the moment putting one foot in front of the other each unkown step of the way, and she kept trusting, following and praising God. Remember we are also chosen and favored by God. We are now walking in our lives the same way she did, unknown path one step at a time. We don’t know the rest of our life’s story, but we do know the end of the story.
Fairytales
Fairytales would succinctly say: and they lived happily ever after. God says:
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalm 37:23
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 6:47
