Jesus Is Born! – Read Luke 2:1-7
Contemplation
The country is ruled by a king far away, the emperor of Rome. He orders a list to be drawn up of everyone he rules so he can tax them. Mary and Joseph have to travel to the town their family originally came from so they can have their names put on the list. It is a long, hard journey because Mary is about to have her baby. The road is hard and our feet ache. We travel through all sorts of countryside – desert, scrub, fields. When we finally get there, the town is full of people coming to be registered – pushing, shouting. There are people and animals everywhere. We knock on doors all over the town but wherever we go, we are told there is no space for us. Eventually, we find a shelter for people and animals outside the town and Mary has her baby there.
Travel with the little family. What does the journey feel like? How do they cope?
What does it feel like to be turned away everywhere? Have I known that feeling?
What does shelter feel like? How do the couple react?