Love and Light in A Dark Place

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manager, because there was no place for them in the inn. 

                        Luke 2:1-7 English Standard Version

I was reflecting this morning on the Christmas Story (appropriate, right?)  and I was thinking what a wicked, dark time it must have been in the world the night Jesus was born.  No different than now, maybe even more loveless. Is it possible?  Don't forget only a few short years later King Herod would order all first born baby boys two years old and under to be slaughtered. 

Mary and Joseph, not yet married, probably ostracized from friends and family, fully trusting God and His promise:  Not fully knowing their part, but fully knowing that their God was going to do something big in their life and for humanity. 

What if they hadn't trusted? What if they would have chosen to do the socially acceptable thing? 

The "Politically Correct" thing of that time?

Would Mary have had an abortion? Would Joseph have abandoned her? Would Mary's family have   her stoned to death? 

The answer is simple and obvious:  God still would have fulfilled his promise to us.

He still would have sent His Love and Light to the world on that night. 

Angels and shepherds still would have glorified Him and Magi would still seek him.

Take heart my friends. He is real.