“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.”
Luke 2:4-5, NET Bible

Christmas is only a couple of weeks away. Perhaps, like me, you still have countless things to do in order to prepare for coming guests. The physical demands on our time, strength, and resources can quickly alter our “Fa-la-la” spirits to ones of “Bah! Humbug!”

Scripture tells us that Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for a mandatory tax census. Bethlehem was three days away, and Mary would make the long, arduous journey by donkey. Not a comfortable mode of transportation for anyone, much less for a woman nine months pregnant and expecting a child any day. Could the timing have been any worse?

I wonder what Mary’s words to Joseph were as they packed for their journey. I can imagine what I would have said, but somehow I can’t envision Mary grumbling. After all, when told by the angel what God’s role for her would be in his divine plan, she communicated a sweet spirit of submission. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV). Although, Mary dealt with the frailties of humanness, God gave her his grace for her journey.

Regardless, of what the next couple of weeks hold as we prepare for Christmas, let’s refuse to allow grumbling and complaining to penetrate our spirits of celebration. God promises us the grace we need for our respective journeys.

Carry a Mary spirit. Christ has come!

Now it’s your turn: What is something you do to maintain a Mary spirit during the holiday clamor?

I always welcome your comments.

Merry Christmas!

Starr