Luke 2:15-20 (NIV) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

I can just imagine all of the excitement and commotion of the day of Jesus' birth. It began quietly and unspectacular enough, with Joseph not being able to find a single room for rent in all of Bethlehem and having to bring Mary to the only available space, a stable. There, with only Joseph and the stable animals present to witness the greatest and most miraculous happening in the history of the world, Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. She put Him in a manger, for that was the only place they could find to lay the newborn baby down. All was quiet after the excitement of the delivery.

Then, the silence was broken as shepherds showed up looking for the baby that the angel who appeared to them said was the Savior of the world. Just think about the look on the faces of Joseph and Mary as the shepherds recounted to them what they had just seen and heard! They must have told them about the angel and about what he said, and they must have mentioned the heavenly hosts singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Then the shepherds ran to tell everyone they could find about what they experienced and about the baby that they found lying in a manger, just as the angel had said. But then they left and Joseph and Mary were alone again with the baby. The next day, Joseph must have made preparations to register for the census, as that was the reason that they were in Bethlehem in the first place. Then, it was time to start the journey home, which was at least about a four-day journey. They were about to enter the normalcy of life but with a totally new way of living and they had no idea what that would look like. It must have hit them the day after Jesus was born that they were on ground that they were completely unfamiliar with and would have to trust God for their day-by-day existence. Mary pondered all these things in her heart and now that the hoopla had died down, they had to rely totally on God.

That's where we should be in our lives. With all of the events, happenings and ups and downs of our lives, the one thing that remains certain is that if we keep our focus on Jesus and put our trust in Him, He will guide us step by step into His perfect will for our lives. Joseph and Mary didn't know what lay ahead. They didn't know that they would have to flee to Egypt to escape King Herod's decree of extermination for all babies two years old and younger. They didn't know how long they would be there and when to come back. But as we now know, God knew exactly what He was doing and was leading them all the way. Let's put our trust in Jesus always. When life gets frantic or when life-changing events come rushing at you at lightning speed, know that there is a time when all of that will subside and you will be left to ponder things in your heart. I pray that you will do what Joseph and Mary did and continue walking forward knowing that even if you don't know where you are headed, Jesus certainly knows and will take you to new ground safely and securely. It's what He promised and what He does for those who belong to Him. Bless His holy name!

Pastor Joey Vazquez