As we get half-way through December, we come closer and closer to Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ. If we are following along with the book of Isaiah from the Old Testament, and the stories of John the Baptist, we understand that Jesus was believed to be the anointed one, the fulfillment of many prophecies. He is the person that was prophesied to bring about the salvation of many.
Jesus was coming to be with the people of Jerusalem, and yet they were not ready. John the Baptist’s mission was to “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” While John was preparing the whole world to receive the Messiah, Mary and Joseph were simply preparing to have a child. They had no idea what role their son would play in the role of salvation.
Mary and Joseph’s son was destined for greatness long before he came to Mary’s womb. They had both said yes to receiving this unexpected child, and we can only imagine the anxiety their situation brought them. Regardless, they prepared their hearts for what was to come, trusting that God would carry them through it and provide for them. We all know how the story goes. We may think of cursing God when we arrive at the inn with no space, but Mary and Joseph don’t give up even there!
Welcoming Jesus in our lives, just like welcoming a baby, requires so many sacrifices and changes. We have to prepare for the unexpected and trust that no matter how bad the situation seems, God will provide us with our very own manger. The only question is, when we receive the manger, will we thank God for His blessings, or will we curse Him for not giving us the room at the inn?
Let us continue to welcome change into our lives this Advent season – the kind of change that humbles us and helps us prepare to receive God’s blessings in our lives. It’s the key to having a Merry Christmas.
Lazaro Ramos is a B4B alumnus, having competed his third ride this year. Graduating from University of Illinois in 2013 with a degree in Philosophy, he now works in the suburbs of Chicago. When he’s not cycling for hours and hours, he spends his time running, reading, and translating Latin. You can catch him later @LuxSumMundi on Twitter.
