“When The Time Came”

Meditation on Luke 2:1- 7

Christmas Eve 2013

***

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

***

On our way to the airport in the Twin Cities yesterday to pick up my son, Josh, Jim and I went Christmas shopping. As I glanced at tables loaded down with gift items, I saw very little that I wanted to buy for my loved ones. Nothing seemed to fit. 

It reminded me of one of my family’s Christmas traditions throughout my childhood and teen years. Every year, on December 24th, I would ask my dad if he had bought my mother a Christmas present. Every year, he would say, “no.”

Then, I would scold, “Dad! C’mon, let’s go shopping.”

And my dad would reluctantly get his wallet, keys and coat, and we would drive to Lakeforest Mall. 

Believe it or not, Christmas Eve was never a bad time to be at the mall. When you think about it, serious shoppers aren’t shopping the day before Christmas. They are already finished. The only people at the mall—not at the grocery store, mind you—are procrastinators like my dad or those who realize, at the last minute, that they forgot to buy a present for someone important on their list or for the hostess of a holiday gathering to which they have just been invited.

On Christmas Eve, the usually crowded department stores have thinned out. The prices are pretty good. Many stores in big city malls are still open early and close late. And many of the items have already been marked down for after Christmas sales.

The only problem is, the stores may not have that one thing you are looking for because everyone else wanted it, too—and they bought it already. Selection and sizes are limited. 

So my dad and I would walk from store to store, looking for the gift that was just right for my mom at Christmas. Sometimes it took hours. Even I would get tired out and a little impatient. I would wonder if Dad would ever find something that would satisfy him.

But finally, the right thing would be there on a rack, shelf or clearance table. A sales clerk would point it out or I would say, “Dad, look at this!” And he would say, “OK.” The hunt was over. The cashier would be patient and pleasant—sensing something big had been accomplished and proud she had played a part in it. She would offer us boxes and bows. She might offer to wrap the present herself.

Our Christmas Eve shopping excursion always ended with Dad and me coming home laughing. 

When I grew older and was no longer living in the same state as my parents, my dad stopped buying my mom Christmas presents. I wasn’t there to take him shopping on Christmas Eve! So I would call him on the phone the night before Christmas and ask, as a joke, “Dad, what did you buy Mom for Christmas?” The answer was always Dad’s goofy laugh and him saying, “Not a thing.” 

Mom told me she never minded that there were no presents. If she wanted something, she said, she would just buy it for herself.

I was thinking about this last night, when we had come home from the Twin Cities, and I had a new thought. Obviously, Dad only went shopping because I talked him into it each year. But why did he go at all—if he really hated it? Why did he laugh and get his wallet, keys and coat, when he certainly could have said no and stayed home? And why did we, really, spend hours at the mall together when we always ended up buying what seemed like the same nightgown, bathrobe and slippers for mom’s gift every year?

And then I laughed, realizing that I had probably been the one in the dark all these years. 

Could it be that Dad just enjoyed having that precious time with me—just he and I together? And Mom knew that it was good for Dad to go out shopping with me. Because Dad, who was sometimes sad around the holidays, always came home in good spirits. Our crazy shopping trip never failed to cheer us up.

Looking back, I believe we were blessed by Christ—the true meaning of Christmas—without even knowing it. We were lifted up by His joy.



***
Though our holiday celebrations change over the years, the Christmas story is always the same. Joseph and Mary, pregnant with Jesus, must walk the 75 or 100 miles from their hometown of Nazareth to Bethlehem of Judea, the city of David. The Emperor Augustus has ordered that a census must be taken; all must return to the home of their ancestors to be registered for taxation and to find new soldiers for the Roman army. This Caesar rules like a military dictator; he has been hailed as a savior and nicknamed the “king of peace” because, through military means, he has “united” the empire, putting down minor local battles and suppressing piracy and other criminal activity. This registration occurs around 6 A.D. when Quirinius, the legate or Roman governor of Judea, begins his position.

The Jewish people, already angry with their Roman captors, will never forget this event that stirs violence, unrest and despair.

This is certainly not what Joseph and Mary envision when they become engaged—before the angel Gabriel makes His announcement and Mary becomes pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Poor Mary walking such a great distance late in her pregnancy is a dangerous situation, especially during this time of unrest and the threat of civil war. It is a miracle that she and the baby survive at all. 

And though they have no room for the night, no bed in which to sleep, and no midwife to assist Mary, a young, first time mother, Jesus is born.

Scripture says, “When the time came for her to deliver the child…” One can’t help but wonder, “Whose time is this?” If it were up to Mary and Joseph or other human beings, this would not have been the chosen time or place or circumstances for our Messiah’s birth.

But God doesn’t wait for human beings to be ready or think they are ready for the Savior. God’s time had come. He knew that the entire world needed Christ the Lord. God had ordained the time and place. He knew that human beings couldn’t wait one more minute—so lost were we in our sin and darkness. So in need were we of the hope and light of Christ. So in need were we of Emmanuel. God with us. God, who became one of us.

Friends, we are still in need of our Emmanuel—more than ever. God sent Jesus to us so that we could have new lives through His Son and live all eternity with Him. 

The good news is that our Emmanuel has never left us, though he was crucified on a cross. Our Heavenly Father raised him from the dead. And Christ is with us in Spirit, now and forever.

Brothers and sister, God doesn’t care about earthly gifts, feasts or holiday decorations. He doesn’t need anything from us. We are His beloved children. But He wants us to love each other—and to care for one another, as he so tenderly cares for us. 

And He wants one thing more than anything—to be with us! Just like my Dad wanted to spend time with me.

So let us go to Him now—and be blessed!

Let us go and be lifted up by His joy!

Let us pray.

Holy One, we thank you for being our Emmanuel, for coming to be with us and becoming one of us so that we may repent and turn away from sin, be forgiven and restored—brought back to live in right relationship with you. Forgive us for when we have not spent enough time with you, Lord, when we haven’t loved you enough. Empower us with your Holy Spirit now so that we may love and serve you with joy. Help us to share that love and joy with others tonight, tomorrow, and the whole year through! In Christ we pray. Amen.