All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home… He took with him Mary, his fiancée.
Luke 2:4-5 (nlt)
Christmas tells the story of people who had to leave their home in order to carry out a census law. Nowadays the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem would take just a few hours, but then it was a considerable journey. Jesus is born far from his family home, and most of the events described later in the gospels took place during his travels around Galilee and Judea.
Where are you going this Christmas?
I will be spending Christmas at my second home this year but it will be with family. I am so grateful to have family around depite most of them live in another country. I pray for those who do not have that comfort to enjoy the presence of their immediate.
I’m the “Inn keeper” this year, I pray that those that come here for food and those that stay will know Jesus is with us.
to church……….
The nuclear family,we will all stay in the appartement because of our illness -my two daughters have been house bound for several years & my wife can only occasionally leave the home requiring resting up days before-hand & afterwards.
I am in far better condition but I have to be careful with my limited energy budget e.g. a morning grocery shopping, pharmacy or meeting someone for coffee normally means two days in bed afterwards.
So we will do Christmas-y things -present giving & opening, eating some special things but in half hour doses punctuated by siestas.
Unfortunately a visit to a church service is out of the question (plus they are rare on 25th here in France) But I regularly listen to services on BBC radio via the internet)
Staying at home this Christmas