The usual way…

Please read:
Luke 1:39-56
Luke 2:1-20
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2:1-12

The events leading up to and following the birth of Jesus are infused with fantastic, supernatural occurrences. Such events are perhaps never experienced by us in these days and times.

I will invite you to think about something, in light of the  miraculous.

The angel Gabriel appeared and announced Mary would conceive in a most unusual way. Yet Mary carried the baby and gave birth in the usual way.

The angel spoke to Joseph in a dream, and yet Joseph married Mary in the usual way.

When Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem, they sought lodging at a very busy time and were turned away. They problem solved in the usual way and found a stable in which to give birth.

When the angels appeared to the shepherds in the field at night, the shepherds had a common human reaction – fear. When the angel left they went to Bethlehem in the usual way.

When they told Mary what had happened, they did it in the usual way.

There was talk of the government, taxes, a census – all usual sorts of things.

Travel happened in the usual way.

When Jesus was born, Mary reacted in the usual way by keeping him warm.

When the wise men sought the new king, they followed the star, but they stopped and asked for directions and traveled In the usual way. They brought the usual gifts for a king bowing on bended knee, with the usual physical response to reverence for a hallowed person.

You and I will experience the extraordinary this season, in the usual ways. And that’s o.k.

Have a blessed and joyous celebration of the Savior’s birth.

Moving to the deeper places, 
Jeff