Inconvenience Doesn’t Stop God!
When we plan to do certain things, like having a baby, we work tirelessly to make sure everything is just right. Even though we seldom know when the blessed arrival will come, we have nine months to prepare. In the case of Mary, she had so many complications – being a virgin, having to explain this pregnancy to her fiancee, having to bear the gossip of the town – she was probably spent a great deal of time praying and preparing for her little baby to be born. Yet, with all her plans, they were usurped by the ruling emperor:
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:1,4,5 (KJV)
Imagine that Mary had to travel the rough terrain in Galilee with a nine-month pregnant wife. Even if it wasn’t her exact time, this kind of travel would certainly bring labor on. And of course it did, at a most inopportune time – they arrived in Bethlehem and there was no place available for them to lodge. While this may have taken Joseph and Mary by surprise, it was not a surprise to God. In fact, He chose to bring forth His only begotten Son, not in a palace or a five star hotel – He chose instead for His Son to be born in a stable – amidst the stench and squalor of the animals.
Imagine that the King of Kings, born into time to bring salvation to HIs people was born into a "stinking situation". Poor Mary had no doula, no comforting music, nothing but the lowing of the animals; no soft bed to endure her labor, instead a bed of straw – this was more than an inconvenience, this was a disaster.
However, before that night was over, the very heavens rang out a Hallelujah chorus and dazzled with brilliant light which shone down on the lonely hills where shepherds had bedded their sheep for the night:
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:7-11 (KJV)
God specializes in inconvenient miracles.
Maria