Luke 2:1-7 and Psalm 24

Joseph had worked past so much…

First his finance is pregnant… then the story of there not being another man… then the visitation by an angel… and now a trip to Bethlehem.

Well over a weeks journey. A pregnant wife riding a donkey more than 90 miles over rough road with a 1400 foot climb in elevation. Exhausted, they pull into town, the time is near and now there’s no suitable place for this child to be born.

Can you imagine a frantic first time husband ready to throttle those who won’t make room for his wife?

How about a conversation with God… “I didn’t ask for this!” “Seriously, a stable?” “Is this any place for a King?”

Read again Psalm 24 and listen to the expectation…

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:8-10)

What I love about the story is that so little made sense and yet Joseph pressed on… past being disappointed by his “wife–to–be,” past an Angelic visitation, past being misunderstood by his peers, past a rough trip to Bethlehem and now past being directed to a stable.

Father, give us hearts like Joseph’s. Allow us to look to you when “things” are nothing like we think they should be.

Might we be found faithful and righteous.