Advent Journeys 3

Sunday 15th December 2024

This is the third of our Advent Journeys. In it, we remember when Mary and Joseph journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

As usual, we will follow the Four Steps of Pilgrimage, consisting of images and thoughts for meditation. On a practical note, there is no set time to start or finish. The pilgrimage can be completed in a few minutes, or alternatively can be periodically revisited later on.

Step [1] - Holy Longing

First of all, you are invited to read Luke chapter 2.1-7.

Then, throughout the coming journey, we will be reflecting particularly on this verse:

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world."

Step [2] - Pilgrim Journey

This is the step where you review and reflect on your thoughts and experiences.

Have you ever felt reluctant to go on a journey? Why was that? Because of the distance? Because you knew what was at the other end of it? Because of the weather? Because of the company? Because of the lateness of the hour? Because you had better things to do?

With Mary expecting a baby, Mary and Joseph may very well have been reluctant to set out on a journey.

However, even if that were the case, the imperial decree from Caesar Augustus could not be ignored.

They were obliged to travel from their home in Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem in Judea.

The journey would have been very similar to taken by Mary when she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, as reflected on during last week’s Advent journey (click here for that journey.)

Now, it was complicated by Mary's advanced pregnancy, but still required the same physical effort of several days travel.

Why did God require Mary to make that journey? At such an inconvenient time? Certainly, there was the expectation that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem...

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” Micah 5.2

But why didn't God arrange for her to be to be in Bethlehem from the very beginning? We don't know the answer to that last question.

Perhaps it is useful to remember the familiar tapestry simile, as illustrated in the picture. From the maze of jumbled stitches on the back, shown on the left, we only get a very imperfect idea of the finished design.

It only makes sense when it is turned over, revealing the regal crown on the right.

Step [3] - Prayerful Arrival

Your reflections on the journey become formulated into definite ideas and prayers.

Often, we struggle with our inability to live with unanswered questions.

We don't know, but perhaps Mary or Joseph struggled with the knowledge that they faced the long journey ahead of them.

However, through it, the Messiah was born in Bethlehem, according to prophecy.

  • Give thanks for the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph.

  • Pray about the unanswered questions in your own life.

Step [4] - Servant Response

This is the practical application of what you have learnt from your pilgrimage through the Scriptures.

The American author Louisa May Alcott wrote these lines:

I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty;
I woke, and found that life was duty.
Was thy dream then a shadowy lie?
Toil on, sad heart, courageously,
And thou shall find thy dream to be
A noonday light and truth to thee.

For Mary and Joseph, this became true. After a long journey and having been turned away from accommodation, the promised Child was nevertheless safely born.

However, as we go out into the world, we need to recognise that we will still encounter people with a "sad heart”, for whom the “noonday light” has not come. We pray for Christlike sensitivity and compassion, to help people on their onward journey in these situations.