Clothesline - Edition 229

By Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson, Pastor

December 11, 2024  

It’s two weeks before Christmas and I just returned from the Post Office. People were lined up as far back as the front door. I went in with a large tote filled with Christmas packages. I was early enough so I didn’t have a very long wait, but it took over thirty minutes to complete my task, partly because the machine that prints the necessary labels jammed after every package…and I had fourteen of them! I looked around and listened. The tellers were stressed because their equipment wasn’t working correctly. There was some confusion with a few persons because of a language barrier. And there was even a very long line of people inquiring about passports. Lots going on in this small space. Well, at least when I left, I was going home and there would be some peace. But it’s still two weeks before Christmas, and I found myself thinking about Mary’s “two weeks before Christmas.”

Can you even imagine her thoughts as she was preparing to give birth? Having nothing to do with a post office, her level of stress must have been off the charts. She and Joseph had just learned about the emperor’s decree, that they would have to make the trip to Bethlehem…now! And how long would that take with a donkey as their only transportation? This level of stress makes my post office experience pretty insignificant! Even though they knew they were in God’s hands, they were still human beings, after all, and the task they had been given, could not be measured or compared to anything we might experience today. Joseph did his best to protect Mary, but they still had the grueling task of traveling hundreds of miles to appease the emperor and, more importantly, to fulfill God’s plan…that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.

Christmas brings up lots of things, doesn’t it. Memories of when our children were little, the excitement of Christmas Eve. Then when the kids grew up and left home, we were sad or perhaps we breathed a sigh of relief that they were out on their own. And then there are those who have lost loved ones, and celebrating Christmas can be painful. All of us experience varied emotions at this time of year, and I believe we are meant to have cherished memories.

In the meantime, during these last few days of preparation for our earthly Christmas celebration, remember what it’s really all about. Don’t let the stress of these two weeks overtake you. And no matter what things there are still to do, stop and ponder this amazing story. Mary and Joseph will welcome your company!