Expect the unexpected

For many of us, travelling is very much a part of Christmas. Many journeys are made by road, rail, coach or bus to visit relatives or friends. Already the roads are busy as people make their way to town centres or out of town stores to buy presents, decorations and food. With just two weeks until Christmas Day time to prepare for the perfect Christmas is running out.

The story of the first Christmas as told by Luke begins with an unexpected journey forced upon a pregnant woman and her husband. A government edict meant that Mary and Joseph would have to travel to Bethlehem to be registered in a census. The couple travelled light, hoping this unwelcome trip would be a short one and that they would make it home before the baby put in an appearance. Things didn't quite work out. The small town was heaving. Hotel space was at a premium. There was no time to prepare...no clothes for the baby...nothing was as it should have been. God's promised messiah arrived with little ceremony and slept in a hay filled manger.

That same night, shepherds on the hills near Bethlehem were startled by bright light and an angelic choir. They made their way down to the town to see the new baby. Coming in from the east a group of astrologers travelled towards Jerusalem by the light of an unusual star. They were looking for a king and were eventually directed to Bethlehem where they found a tiny child. A child that would bring light for the whole world and hope for generations to come.

As we prepare to celebrate this Christmas may we be surprised and delighted as we find ourselves in the presence of the Christ child who comes to bring light and life to this world.