Devotion

The Miracle of Humble Beginnings

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." (Luke 2: 1 - 7)

The Christmas story begins in the most unexpected way. Caesar Augustus, the most powerful man in the world, issues a decree. Empires shift. Populations move. Yet in the middle of all this imperial grandeur, God's greatest miracle unfolds in the humblest of places—a stable in Bethlehem.

Mary and Joseph arrive in the crowded town, far from home, with nowhere comfortable to stay. When the moment comes for Jesus to be born, there are no palace chambers, no royal attendants, no golden cradle. Instead, the King of Kings enters the world surrounded by animals, wrapped in simple cloths, and laid in a feeding trough.

This is how God chose to show up.

We might wonder why God didn't arrange something grander for His Son's arrival. But perhaps that's exactly the point. God wasn't looking for the perfect palace or the ideal circumstances. He was looking for willing hearts - a young woman who said "yes," a faithful man who stood by her, and humble shepherds who would soon receive the first announcement of this incredible gift.

The stable reminds us that God shows up in our ordinary, messy, imperfect places too. He doesn't wait for us to have everything together. He meets us in our struggles, our doubts, our everyday moments. The manger tells us that no place is too humble, no situation too ordinary, for God to work His miracles.

As we move closer to the celebration of Christmas this year, let's remember that the same God who chose a stable over a palace is the God who chooses to dwell in our hearts. He doesn't require perfection—He offers His presence. The miracle of Christmas isn't just that Jesus came, but that He came for all of us, meeting us right where we are.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing to enter our world in such a humble way. Help us to recognise Your presence in the ordinary moments of our lives. May we have hearts as willing as Mary and Joseph, ready to say "yes" to Your purposes. Amen.

Blessings!

Will Wallace

Principal