12/20/13- A Distant Cousin of Joseph in Bethlehem

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1-7)

Thoughts: Bethlehem was full of Joseph's distant family.  All of them were claiming to be from King David's line and King David's stock.  But David was a person who had compassion- like on Mephibosheth who was lame- inviting him to his table.  Yet there is no record that any of these pretenders tried to open their rooms to this woman about to have a baby.  The sad thing was Mary had the baby without a doctor, without a midwife, terribly alone, and in an unsanitary place.  It had to tear Joseph's heart.  You had to wonder what kind of help he tried to find before she went into delivery.  Perhaps this is a lesson to care for the needy around us.  It is one thing to be happy you have your own place of shelter, but it is another to care for those in the shadows who have no place to stay, or even to have a baby.  Christmas is a reminder that God cared for us- leaving the comfort of heaven to be on our level.  Yet it is also a reminder that we do not care so much.  Joseph doubtless had first cousins, second cousins, maybe some aunts and uncles there.  No hospitality was offered.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world was born in a stable.  

Prayer: Help me to care for those around me.  Help me to care for those around who do not speak my language, who are poor, who have nowhere to go, who do not have a home.  Help me to care because you cared for me.