CHAPTER 1

The First Movement: Walking to Bethlehem

Advent/Christmas

The Call

Mary (Luke 1:26–38)

God's call never comes in a time or manner you'd expect. You can't prepare forit or request that it arrive on a certain day or at a specific moment. God isthe caller; you are the receiver. It matters little to God whether you're deepin prayer or busy with ordinary tasks. When God extends a hand to you, it's inGod's time, not yours.

That's how it happened with Mary. By all accounts, she was a young girl. In ourculture, she seems too young to be thinking of marriage, of building a home, ofhaving children. In our day, we'd see her in that awkward stage between dollsand dates. But in her world she was doing exactly what was expected of her—preparingto be a bride. Barely in her teens, she had her future all laid outfor her. Her family had made the arrangements and she was betrothed to a goodman. She would obey her parents' wishes, marry her betrothed, raise hischildren, and make a home for her new family. But God had other plans.

Scripture doesn't mention where or when the angel Gabriel came to Mary. Was itin the cool of the evening or in the hot midday sun? Was she going about herdaily chores—fetching water, sweeping the floor—or was she kneeling in quietprayer? We don't know, nor do we need to. If we knew exactly what she was doingat that precise moment, we might tend to make that our focus. We might say,"That's how we must encounter God." But the point isn't how Mary heard God—oreven how we go about hearing God. It's about God's leading and our beingobedient. It's about God's initiative, God's action. Mary's response—and ours—shouldbe simply: "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with meaccording to your word."

Your Advent journey also begins with a call. Some legends of Mary speak of adove that always appeared in those special moments. As you shop for presents,send cards to family and friends, and wander the congested malls andsupermarkets, be on guard for the unexpected brilliance of angels. The sheerpower of the moment may take your breath away. In your excitement tinged withterror, God's voice may have to comfort you with those same words the angelspoke to Mary: "Be not afraid."

But then again, God's voice may be found in the soft fluttering of a dove. Afluttering so soft and delicate that, if you aren't paying attention, you couldmiss it altogether. You may be caught up in glorious worship, surrounded by thesights, sounds, and smells of church. Or you may be right in the midst of thedrab, ordinary stuff of life. Whatever the circumstances and wherever you maybe, God is calling you to the highest of callings, asking you to carry the Son.God is calling you to be pregnant with the Holy Spirit. God is calling you toput aside all the plans the world has for you and to follow a different plan.Are you ready to begin your journey? How obedient are you right now? Are youready to say, "Here I am, Lord. Use me."

Joseph (Matthew 1:19–25)

We know exactly where Joseph was when he heard the call: he was in bed, asleep.There were no flashes of light, no tangible being that he could reach out andtouch, not even an opportunity to ask questions. There was just a dream in thenight.

We know very little about Joseph. He was a carpenter and a descendant of thefamily of David. That's it. We do get to see his actions, and they speak to thekind of man he was. He knew what was right and how things needed to be done. Histraining as a carpenter taught him that. In construction, things fit togetherjust so, and Joseph may have seen life in much the same way. He knew the law andwhat it meant for Mary to be carrying a child that wasn't his. She could havebeen stoned to death for adultery. But the Bible tells us that Joseph was arighteous man and unwilling to expose Mary to such a fate. It says he resolvedto end the betrothal, send her away, and spare her. It wasn't an easy decision.He cared for Mary. Should he marry her anyway? Should he follow the law andexpose her to harm? The Bible indicates that he weighed all the options anddecided to do the right thing. With the hard decision behind him, Joseph went tobed, dreading the difficult task that awaited him. Into that fitful night'ssleep, God sent his angel.

Sometimes we get a dramatic sign of God's will for us. Sometimes we have a dreamthat seems so right that we know just what to do when we awake. Mary wasobedient to God's call. So was Joseph, but somehow his response seems to us tocome more out of duty. Everyone hears God in different ways. Even the sameperson may not always hear God in the same way each time. Reflect on those timesof call when you didn't get a tangible sign. Reflect on the quiet moments ofGod's presence when you just "knew" what was right. Trust in God to lead youwhere you need to go—and don't always ask for a sign. If your heart is groundedin the will of God, it will know the sound of God's voice.

The Magi (Matthew 2:1–8)

The call came to the magi long before the Word was made flesh in Mary's womb.Their study told them that a great celestial sign would accompany the birth of anew king, a king unlike any other. They were from a different land, a differentculture, a different religion. They were kingly advisors, prophets, priests,magicians, and scientists. They didn't answer the call out of obedience or duty.They were searching for truth. They were drawn because they sensed somethingawesome and wondrous.

We tend to limit God and want God to act according to our expectations: Godshould be predictable, logical, and stick to the rules. God calls people likeMary and Joseph—respectable, religious people, not the unrighteous. That wouldbe like throwing pearls before swine. We look around our churches and single outthose individuals who seem so holy, so kind, so nice, and we say to ourselves,"God has a hand on them!" And it's true! But it often seems that God likes touse another kind of individual as well. God has a penchant for calling the wildones: one with a hair shirt and a diet of locusts and wild honey, a persecutorwho kills the faithful, even a trio of pagan magicians. God can call anyone, andthe person is not always someone we expect. God is constantly turning our worldupside down. Mary proclaimed it in her Magnificat: "He has shown strength withHis arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He hasbrought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he hasfilled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty."

As you begin your journey to Bethlehem, think about being an outsider. You leavewhat is familiar and head out to someplace unknown, all because you hope forsomething wonderful. Into the night you go, with only a star to guide you. Youdon't know what you will find. You just know that you have to go becausewhatever it is, it's worth it, and it will turn your world upside down.

The Road

Mary (Luke 2:1–7)

It had been almost nine months since the angel gave Mary the miraculous news.She'd done everything God had asked of her. Now, with the baby due any day, shehad to travel to Bethlehem. Why now? Why this arduous journey at such aninopportune time? Wasn't it enough to give birth to the Son of God withouthaving to travel ninety miles on foot and donkey? The birth of a child was afamily event—all the women would gather around to help bring a new life into theworld. Especially for a young, first-time mother, it was important to be withthe people she knew and loved. But once again, Mary said yes. Not just becauseRome ordered it, but also because—for some reason—God wanted it too.

So Mary embarked on her journey to Bethlehem. She and Joseph loaded the donkeywith supplies and began their trek. Nine-months pregnant, she walked ninetymiles. When she could no longer take another step, Joseph would place her on theback of the donkey. There were times when she longed to be at home, surroundedby her loved ones, for the journey was a difficult one. But there was also astrange sense of excitement. There were so many people on the roads because ofthe census. It reminded her of the time when she was little and the familytraveled in a caravan to Jerusalem for Passover. Perhaps, as they passed throughJerusalem, she'd get to see the temple once again.

But with each exhausting and sometimes painful step, Mary sensed that out ofthis challenge would come something wonderful. She took in everything aroundher, soaking it up. Each encounter with another traveler, every new sight,became engraved in her memory.

It seems that when God calls us, we always end up on a road that leads us awayfrom home. The road may not be easy, but it's never unbearable. If we are open,willing to connect with all that's around us, we see God in every chancemeeting, in every shade tree, even in every stone that trips us up. Then, justwhen we think we can't take one more step, someone appears to lift us up andcarry us until we can continue the journey. The road is to be embraced, notfeared, because it leads us closer to Bethlehem, closer to God.

Joseph (Luke 2:1–7)

Good, dutiful, organized Joseph—how the decree must have upset him. You canalmost imagine what he might have thought. "Curse those Romans! You can alwayscount on them to make things harder. Now, of all times, to have to go toBethlehem." Although Mary wasn't really due for another week or so, with ademanding journey, anything could happen. It would take five days to get toBethlehem. What if Mary went into labor? What could he do? The men were alwayskept outside while the women helped deliver the babies. Following God this timemeant going down a road he would prefer to avoid.

Joseph wasn't a romantic visionary like Mary. He was the practical one. Hewouldn't dream of disobeying God, but you can bet he wouldn't leave Nazarethuntil everything was well planned. He studied the route, made provisions, anddid his best to eliminate unwanted surprises. Builders hate surprises. You canimagine Joseph on the road, watchful, vigilant. Whenever possible he wouldcaravan with other travelers so that Mary would be surrounded by women.

God calls the visionaries and the planners. God needs both. As you respond toGod's call, you offer up every aspect of yourself. Wanting to do what's rightand wanting to do it well aren't contrary to God's will. What does go againstGod's will is being so in control that you don't take into account that God mayhave other plans. Organizing things is okay; trying to control and organize Godis not. It's not how you pack for the road that's important, it's being willingto take the journey and go wherever God leads you.

The Magi (Matthew 2:1–8)

The road for the magi was much longer. They came from the east—from Babylon,Media, and Persia. Separating them from Judea was the great Arabian Desert, sotheir trek began northward along the mighty Euphrates. The road was lush andbeautiful and well traveled. It had been used for centuries, carrying merchants,armies, and captives. This was the road that Abraham traveled when God calledhim from Ur almost eighteen centuries earlier. Seven centuries before, theBabylonians took this route as they marched the captive Israelites into bondage.Now Babylonian magi were going to Jerusalem, not seeking captives, but seeking aking.

Then the caravan turned southward into the valleys of Mt. Hermon and through themighty cedar forests of Lebanon. The long journey would have been exhausting andDamascus, the halfway point, provided a place to rest. Moving onward once again,the travelers came to the beautiful city of Caesarea Philippi, perched high on aterrace overlooking the entire Jordan valley. Each city was more beautiful thanthe last. Any of these cities would have been a suitable place for the birth ofa king, but the magi kept going south toward Jerusalem. It must be Jerusalem,with its elegant palaces and breathtaking temple, where the king would be born.So these seekers of truth kept going, kept following the star, not knowing whereit would lead them.

When we start out to follow that distant, beckoning voice, we don't know howlong the journey will be or where it will end. We come to a place and say toourselves, "This must be it. This must be what God intends." But it's not—it'sjust an oasis that provides a moment of rest and peace. Our journey has days ofgreat beauty as well as days of dry and sandy deserts. We must remember that weare but passing through. Our destination, our hope, our calling is for onething—to go to God and to present our offering: our hearts, our lives, ourworship.

Obstacles

Mary (Luke 2:1–7)

The sun was beginning to set when they entered the city gates. The end of theirjourney was near. Relief poured over Mary like a gentle rain, washing away herfears. The bustle of the streets seemed to lift her spirits. Merchants wereshouting in the marketplace. Wealthy and poor passed one another without muchnotice. There were Jews and Greeks and Egyptians and, yes, Romans. The Romanswere mostly guards, always looking about, expecting the worst to happen.

Mary let herself indulge in the expectation of a long night's rest. She couldalmost feel the cool oil upon her face, cleansing away the dirt of the past fivedays. She longed to sleep on something softer than the ground. She'd beenthrough so much, not just in the past five days, but in the past nine months.She'd endured the doubts of her family, the looks in the village, the anger andpain in Joseph's face. In all that time she never complained to God, not aboutwhat people thought or how hard the journey was. And now it was almost over, forin the last few miles she could tell that something was different. Her baby wascoming, and he was coming soon.

The caravan stopped at an inn as dusk descended. "Sorry, no room," the innkeepersaid. "If you ask around, you might find someone who will let you spend thenight on their terrace." Mary's heart sank. She couldn't go on any longer. Justwhen she thought it was over, there was another obstacle in the path. Thethought of going door-to-door asking for hospitality was more than she couldbear. Tears began to roll down her face as she pleaded to God, "Father inheaven, can't it be easy, just this once?"

As the innkeeper started to shut the door, he noticed gentle sobs coming frombehind Joseph. He looked over the traveler's shoulder and saw Mary—pregnant,dirty, and exhausted. "Wait," he said. "I have a cave back amongst the hillswhere I sometimes board my livestock. It's clean and dry and safe." Theinnkeeper took an oil lamp and escorted the young couple to the stable as thelast rays of light escaped from behind the hills.

There are times in our journey when we think the end is in sight. The hard partis over and all we have to do is step across the finish line. Then, just aswe're about to reach out and claim the prize, something happens that throws usoff balance. This obstacle can seem like the hardest of all, because the end wasso close. We cry out to God, "Just once, can't it be easy?"

The journey towards God can have moments of excitement, joy, and even rest, butit's unlikely that the journey will ever be easy. Easy is standing still. Easyis doing nothing. Moving forward always requires energy, determination, andletting go—and these are not easy things. When you begin to think it's easy,it's time to pay attention. Either you'll soon encounter a stone on your path oryou're just standing still.

Joseph (Luke 2:1–7)

"No room!" Joseph could feel the blood rush to his face. His hand tightened onthe donkey's rein. "What do you mean, no room?" Joseph asked, with as muchrestraint as he could muster. Good God! Enough is enough. He had dealt with thelooks and innuendos of his village. He was forced to take Mary on this longjourney because Caesar commanded it. He had to see his beloved Bethlehem, theCity of David, occupied by Roman soldiers and census takers. And now, after heand Mary had finally arrived, he was told there was no place for them to stay.It seemed as if all of Joseph's strength and resolve gave way. Joseph was angry.In that moment, he cursed Caesar, the census takers, and the other travelers. Healmost let out a curse at that blasted angel. He didn't, but he certainly letGod know that he was upset. Why him? Why Mary? If this is the good news, thenwhat's the bad?

When does your resolve to seek God's face begin to fade away? Think about thosetimes when you were sure you were following God's will. It may not have beeneasy, but you knew in your heart that it was what God wanted, and that wasenough to keep you going. Then, all of a sudden, everything fell apart. Thingsdidn't turn out as you'd planned or envisioned. Where, you wondered, was thefruit of your labor? You thought you were doing your part to build the kingdomof God, and now everything you'd worked for was in shambles. Perhaps you askedGod, "What do you want from me, Lord?"