On the Spiritual Journey

It is the Sabbath and we have paused on our journey to Bethlehem.  Sheltered by the mountains, as evening sets we sit by the campfire letting its warmth seep through our tired bones.  The baby in my womb is gentle as if sensing the time to rest is come.  We will reach our destination soon enough.  Thus settled, I return to the thoughts that bind me ever closer to the prophets of the Lord who foretold of this time.

            I think of David the shepherd king marveling, “Who am I, O Lord God and what is my house that you have brought me thus far?” (II Samuel 6:9).  From the depths of age, his words are planted in my heart and on my lips!  For now I walk the path that God bequeathed to David, a servant in his house called to fulfill the Master’s plan.

            I bow low to the ground beneath me, breathing in the sweet earth God has created.  I look up to the cedars, humbled by their might.  Beyond, the stars and moon lift the darkness of night in glory to the greatness of the Lord.  This is the house of David, the ancestor of Joseph.  God claimed him long before he walked these hills and slept under this sky.

            Just as He claimed me: “The virgin shall be with child and bear a son and shall name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).  When the angel came to me how could I respond other than to say “yes”?  For he has filled me with grace, the gift to bear the son on whose shoulders authority rests.  The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

            I wrap my cloak around me, chilled as I ponder the prophet’s words, “His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.  He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:7). 

Indeed, Joseph and I speak with great joy of the task that lies ahead of us, tending to this child who will grow to claim his predestined throne.  How we shall present him at the temple and raise him according to the traditional laws of Moses.  And he shall bring peace, and justice and righteousness to our people.  How long we have waited, O Lord, for your reign to come! 

You have brought us from the familiarity of our homes to a journey we scarcely understand to serve you in a manner of which we are most unworthy.  We are awed and filled with a grace we can hardly contain.  Surely it shines out of our pores to light up the path.

Tomorrow we shall rise and continue our walk to Bethlehem.  We end tonight in prayer: Give joy to your servant, O Lord, for to you I lift up my soul (Psalm 89: 2-38). 

©2011, E. Jane Rutter