There is a saying that I learned in the Youth Ministry Trade School that I attended. “If you fail to plan; you plan to fail.” These are the words I repeated to myself each time I prepared for a Sunday School class, youth group message and Children’s Sermon. When a Census bought Mary and Joseph to the town of Bethlehem, it sounds worse that a mall packed with Christmas shoppers on Black Friday. The masses were too quick for a pregnant woman, snatching up every available room in town.
So they went with haste and [[g]by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, Luke 2:16-17.
There were no parking spots for their donkeys. All traffic was at a standstill and restaurants had more than a one wait just to get inside their establishment. Desperate and willing to settle for anything, a stable was offered for Mary to finally give birth. While it’s not mentioned, Joseph likely scooped up as much hay as possible to make Jesus’ birth bearable for Mary. These are the circumstances which led the son of God and Savior of the World to spend his first night on earth lying in a manger. Rejoice as Christmas Day has arrived, and our savior Emmanuel has arrived!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 