Interesting Times

A famous saying—said to be an ancient Chinese curse, but more likely the product of British diplomats—is, “May you live in interesting times.”

Joseph and Mary certainly lived in interesting times. Both were visited by angels (although Joseph’s visitation was in a dream) to prepare them for an unexpected pregnancy and the birth of their first child before they had even consummated their marriage. Then they had to travel from Galilee to Bethlehem, a distance of roughly 90 to 100 miles, because of the order of a Roman Emperor. While in Bethlehem, and shortly after the child was born, they were visited by shepherds who talked about a sky full of angels praising God because of the birth of this child.

When Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem to present the infant to the Lord and make the required sacrifices, they endured unwanted attention from Simeon and Anna, including a prophecy from Simeon that was not entirely pleasant.

Sometime later the young parents were visited by magi from the east, who brought gifts, followed soon thereafter by another angelic visit in a dream warning them to flee to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod. And there they remained until after Herod’s death.

Interesting times, indeed.

But upon returning from Egypt they settled back in Galilee, and except for an incident in Jerusalem when the boy Jesus was twelve, the times were not nearly so interesting, at least so far as we know.

And that got me wondering what it must have been like for them when things got very mundane again. Even though Mary and Joseph knew their son was special, they were probably preoccupied with day-to-day living, trying to feed their family and make ends meet, just like you and me.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, when everything changes—the music, the decorations, the generosity of people. But after Christmas we all go back to our day-to-day lives, trying to feed our families and make ends meet.

So while we have the Christmas season, let’s enjoy it and appreciate it. But after the music ends, the decorations are put away, and the times become mundane again, let’s try to keep that generous Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas. And may God bless you and yours this Christmas season.