Luke 2:1-7

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ 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. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ 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.^[a]

My holiday decorations (at home and church) seem to depend on cloth. There’s a special tree skirt that I search for each year in storage. We need a tablecloth to get the dining room just right. Don’t forget the burlap to cover a stable. And I have seasonal ties and socks (more cloth) that I don on certain days. Can all these specific pieces of cloth cause me to pause and remember the bands of cloth that were quickly secured to wrap a little baby born in a stable on the most important night of all? I’ll ponder those humble scraps as another piece of cloth this night.

Prayer

God, thank you for your humble and heartfelt entry into the world where I live. I wrap my arms around the Christ-child today as a warm welcome for all that you offer through Him. Amen.