This year the stress of Christmas was in preparing to move. We had decided to move closer to three of our children and our four youngest grandchildren, but deciding to move and actually moving are two different things.
We had to find a new home and sell our old one. We looked at many houses and put bids in on several, but they fell through. Finally, however, we found a house we liked and agreed on a price with the seller. That was the beginning. Then we were involved in applying for a mortgage, getting new utility accounts, and trying to visualize where to put all our furniture.
In the meantime we found a buyer for our home, and began to pack, pack, pack. My wife already has filled more than 100 boxes, and we have been deciding what to take with us and what to leave behind. As we tried to do everything properly, I could feel the stress building up. Then I was comforted by thinking about Joseph.
Joseph's contribution, I think, is underrated in the Christmas story. But think of all he had to do. He had to plan a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem for himself and Mary, and she was heavy with child. He had to decide what they would need for this trip that would take at least four or five days of travel. What would they eat? Where would they spend the night? What route should they take?
Well, they made it; but we know what happened next. There was no place for them - no room in the inn or anyplace else. How stressful this must have been for Joseph, not to be able to find a place for Mary. He could sleep under the stars, but she should have better. So finally a stable was the last recourse, and there Jesus was born amid the animals.
A Special Birth
When the night is lonely
And dark and still,
And the homeless struggle
Against the chill,
And the hungry search
For a crust of bread,
I think of a baby
With straw for his bed
And sheep his companions.
He entered a world
To give blessing to billions.
Yes, billions and billions of stars
Were his worth,
Yet he gave up this glory
To come down to earth,
For God sent his son
In the humblest of ways,
So his love would be with us
All of our days.
So now with a baby, Joseph is warned in a dream to take a far more arduous journey. Instead of returning to Nazareth, he must take his family to Egypt. All this fell on Joseph's shoulders. You can see why, when I began to feel stressed out, I was able to calm down by thinking about Joseph. He was a good man, and able for the task.
As we enter a New Year, may we not be filled with stress, but be calm and of good courage. Yes, remember Joseph.
- Mercer is a retired American Baptist pastor and member of Picture Rocks Baptist Church
