Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Travel

Amy should make it in to Philadelphia in about 10 minutes. Her flight from Chicago was canceled last night and she was forced to spend the night in the airport. Traveling at this time of year often has its difficulties. I know that she will be tired and need to rest before she makes the last leg of her trip up to Stillwater (where it is a lovely 9 degrees this morning!)

Though I wish her flight would have been easier for her, I can't help but think of that time about 2000 years ago when Mary and Joseph were forced to make a trip to register for a census. Nine months pregnant and riding on a donkey is not the most pleasant way travel. Yet, they made the journey. Lost in the crowd and confusion, without even a place to stay. They end up in a lowly stable where Mary would give birth to the Prince of Peace.

A birth that most people would not even notice. A birth that would make all the difference in the world. A birth proclaimed by angels and witnessed by shepherds. A birth that all to often still remains unnoticed by many today. Emmanuel, God with us!

God with us, then, now, and forever! That is the reason I can say to all I meet and to all who may read this, "Merry CHRISTmas!"

1 comment:

Rosella said...

We loved having her home but I hated for her to have to travel in this season and weather. However, I know her and I know she probably made someone elses delay easier. We often forget about the first trip on the donkey when we get cranky about our own delays. That is why she was taking it so well and kept cheerful, she remembers. Enjoy your CHRISTmas. I had a wonderful celebration and will spend Thursday remembering the day and the reason. Knowing it was the event that began the countdown to Easter makes it a sad and happy day...altogether. Shalom