Now we’re in the last full week of Advent and we’re approaching the winter solstice, I’m posting a few imaginative thoughts based on the story of Jesus’ birth. This week in 2025 holds dreadful news and new sadness and fear has entered the world. It’s into just such a world that some messengers speak.
This is a story of a man whose life was rocked by personal and national events. It’s a story of bravery which begins with bewilderment, frustration, disappointment and anger but ends with reassurance, determination and hope.
That’s another day’s work done. Shelves, tables and chairs, fencing panels and dressed stone are all neatly stacked. I’m a carpenter, but I do more than you might think. I work in wood and stone, and I can build a house and everything to put in it. I’ve done a lot more today than was needed, more than I’ve got orders for to tell the truth, but a little hard work never hurt anyone or so they say. Anyway, I’m hoping for a good night’s sleep for once, so I’m trying to wear myself out.
Not that any amount of sawing and sanding will calm my mind out and blot out my worries. For one thing, the Romans, who normally ignore the hill towns, have decided to check up on us. It’s too much effort for them to come here, so we’ve all got to travel to our ancestral towns. What’s the point in that? Don’t ask me. I just know I’ve got to leave my business and lose money to go traipsing off to Bethlehem. Bethlehem! What’s so special about Bethlehem?
Maybe it’s a good idea to do some extra work now after all.
As if that’s not bad enough, the girl I’m meant to marry is pregnant. Whoever the Father is, I know it’s not me, but she’s come up with some story about it being God’s baby. Honestly, she’s so young and she’s lived her life in a daydream, like she was always expecting something out of the ordinary to happen. In my heart, I’m sure it’s not her fault, but I’d decided to end the engagement and find a different road through life.
That is, until a surprise visitor arrived. The visitor told me he was sent from God and that it’s true. Mary’s baby is from God and that I shouldn’t be afraid. The cheek of it, how did he know I was scared?
I’m good at making plans, estimating times and counting the cost of walls, roofs, doors and furniture, but it looks like I’ve got to make some different plans now.
My name’s Joseph and I’m about to plan a route to Bethlehem with a pregnant woman who still isn’t my wife and I’m not the baby’s father. Bethlehem – I have heard some ancient promises that someone very special is going to come from there. I’ve also heard that there are roads that lead from there all the way to Egypt.
Wandering Through The Land Of Nod. 