In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
Luke 2:1-7 NRSVue
Phew! I'm back inside after my second stint of shovelling the driveway and decks and it is still blowin' a gale. It felt like a Newfoundland snowstorm out there with the white stuff swirling and blustering.
When I came in there was word that the Christmas Eve service at Trenton United has been cancelled, for the third year in a row, a huge disappointed for Rev. Isaac and all of us in the congregation. The first COVID year there was plenty of notice, last year it was Omicron restrictions, and this year a blizzard. Enough already!
The reports tell us of road and highway closures across the country, including the 401, in parts of Southern Ontario. The warming centre at Trenton UC was open last night and amongst those who found shelter there were a dozen stranded travellers. These included parents with a child who had no other place to go.
Okay, does the story sound somewhat familiar? There is no census compelling people to travel, as with Mary and Joseph, but so many of us feel the strong desire to be with family whether our intention is to celebrate Christ's birth or we simply want to reconnect with loved ones. I'm so glad that there was a place of shelter for those who were stranded and how fitting that it was in a church building with a nativity scene in the sanctuary. I notice that in the updated edition of the New Revised Standard Version in now says "guest room" rather than "inn." The warming centre may not be anyone's notion of a guest room or an inn but these folks were warm and safe for a night.
Here is the prayer Isaac shared with the congregation as part of the notice of cancellation. I think it's perfect, but I'm biased.
A Prayer for this Christmas Eve StormThis storm is pullingat the marrow in our bones.All the snow and sleetundoing plans, untying ribbons,reminding us that no day is so sacredthat a tempest cannot alter.Creator, all your billows and waveshave gone over us.We fear that our memories and hopeswill we buried beneath the drifts.But still we trust in you.Help us to planto let go of our plans.Help us to knowthat come hell or high waterthe moment of love that we needis always there in you.Wherever our stable is,whatever our manger might be,help us to say with the old carol:"Still to us is born tonightthe child, the king of glory." AMEN --Rev. Isaac Mundy (he/him/his)
As I shovelled...and shovelled... and shovelled some more this morning the birds at our feeders offered assurance. My Groundling blog on Christmas Eve day groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-pr
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