“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children.”

Ladies, being a man and having been through this process a couple of times, I can tell you that it is torture for us too. Being with the woman that we have become one flesh with (Genesis 2:24) going through that hurts beyond belief. But, I get it: we will never go through that kind of pain and I am not going to argue. Trust me, we feel the pain, but just in another way.

Which leads me to Luke 2 where Joseph and Mary need to travel to Bethlehem for the census. . Having read the story numerous times during the Christmas holiday, we tend to focus on the birth of our Savior and the joy that it brings to us, which we should. But reading tonight, I started to think about what Joseph and Mary had to go through. Can you imagine:

• Joseph: Ah Mary, we have to go to Bethlehem to register for the census. Are you ready to go?
• Mary: WHAT? I am going to give birth any time and we have to go WHERE?
• Joseph: Yeah, Bethlehem. I know it is going to be tough riding a donkey 20 miles, but we have to do it. I will do everything I can to make it better for you.
• Mary: How about you try carrying God’s child for nine months and then ride 20 miles on the back of a donkey? That would help. And by the way, where are we going to stay?
• Joseph: Um, I’m not sure. We can find somewhere to stay when we get there…

Well, you know the rest of the story and if you don’t, check it out. They stay in a manger because the inns are all full. And at the end of the day, it is a beautiful thing. After all of that, the shepherds tell Mary about what the angel told them and she is full of joy:

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 ESV)

Then when Simeon, a man who had the Holy Spirit upon him says:

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32 ESV)

Joseph and Mary feel the ultimate joy:

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. (Luke 2:33 ESV)

You may be asking, what is your point? What I got out of today’s read is that from the hardest trials that we have to go through (chid birth is one of them from what I read) come the greatest rewards and from humble beginnings come great things. No matter what you are going through, that little baby can give you hope and you can get through anything, considering what his parents went through to get him here. Thanks Mary and Joseph.

And I do understand the overwhelming feeling of the Bible. Even at its smallest, it is still thousands of pages with teeny tiny lettering. But don’t be afraid. If you are thinking of reading this year, I am going to post several reading plans to choose from. Just pick one and go. Or check out the One Year Bible. It does all the daily separating for you. Don’t let it be an excuse for you to miss out on something very special. Happy New Year and I can’t wait to read along with you this year. Be safe and have a great one.