Recently, my friends and family in Mayfield, Ky., commemorated the third anniversary of the tornado that devastated our little town. As I looked back through my notes, I found the message I shared on Christmas Eve, just two weeks after everything was destroyed. It was a difficult time – things seemed very bad – and many were asking, “God, how can this be part of your plan?”
In a context of difficulty, I was studying the well-known Christmas story, and I was reminded that God provided something very good in a time that must have seemed so very bad. What follows are my edited comments to First Baptist Church, Mayfield, from Dec. 24, 2021.
It was seemingly a bad time to be engaged. Most who read The Pathway know the story well. Joseph and Mary had never been together as husband and wife, yet she was pregnant. The fact that Joseph immediately considered divorce not only provides cultural context, but it also serves as a painful reminder of what he experienced emotionally. Simply put, Joseph felt betrayed. In the first century, this was an embarrassing situation. As we know, though, after an angelic message in a dream, Joseph decided to go against cultural norms and remain betrothed to Mary. What did his family think? How did his friends react? Even without social media, this story – especially the explanation – must have been the talk of the town! I wonder how many times Joseph thought, “God, how can this be part of your plan?”
It was seemingly a bad time for a census. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was long, about 90 miles. It would have taken four to five days of difficult travel. The journey would require great effort and resources, and Mary was very pregnant at the time, which made traveling even more difficult. The timing of the census certainly wasn’t convenient. In fact, Joseph and Mary would likely argue the timing couldn’t have been worse! As they traveled, I wonder how many times they thought, “God, how can this be part of your plan?”
It was seemingly a bad time to give birth. After a long and difficult journey, no rooms were available in Bethlehem. The only space available was in a stable, which is not exactly known for providing a clean, comfortable, safe, and sanitary environment for childbirth. And the only furniture available was a manger – a feeding trough for animals. As they laid Jesus on a bed of hay, I wonder if they thought, “God, how can this be part of your plan?”
It was seemingly a bad time for the wise men. Their journey from the east was long, challenging, and incredibly expensive. The two-year journey required tremendous effort and sacrifice. And, for most of the journey, it was likely hot and uncomfortable. As they traveled towards Bethlehem, did they question the legitimacy of the journey? Were they really trusting a prophecy and following a unique star? At times, surely they wondered, “God, how can this be part of your plan?”
Shortly after the birth of Jesus, it was seemingly a bad time to travel to Egypt. If you think traveling with children is difficult today, imagine how it must have felt in the first century! Crying, feeding, smelly, bumpy, etc…. No screens to watch, no headphones to listen to, no convenient stops along the way. Plus, their very lives were in danger! After a difficult journey to Bethlehem, and after giving birth in a stable, Herod wanted to kill their child! Surely they wondered, “God, how can this be part of your plan?”
It was a terrible time for all families with young children. Herod, out of extreme anger and jealousy, ordered every male child two years old and under to be killed (in Bethlehem and the surrounding area). Imagine the tragedy, grieving, and confusion. How could this be part of God’s plan?
Yet, in the midst of what appeared to be so bad, God provided something so good. God provided the long-awaited Christ. Born of the virgin Mary. Born in the City of David. Born in humility. Born as King. Born to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. Born to be the light of the world. Born as Savior.
We may not always know God’s plan, and at times we may even question God’s plan, but we can always trust God’s plan.