I imagine many of you are frustrated today. The winter storm that has blanketed much of the country with snow, wind, and bitter temperatures has caused the normal hustle and bustle of the Christmas season to grind to a halt. Last minute gift shopping – not going to happen. That final trip to the grocery store – nope. Attending Christmas parties across town – canceled. Many may even feel like this Christmas is a disaster because of the storm. It doesn’t have to be that way. 
If you find yourself in survival mode battling the weather this weekend, consider this. A little over two thousand years ago, a young couple expecting their first child was in survival mode. They had traveled far and were in search of shelter for the night. None could be found. And what would they eat? The town of Bethlehem was crowded with others who had come to be counted in the census. It was loud, people were yelling, and confusion and frustration reigned. And greedy business men were charging crazy prices for food and shelter. All of this on the eve of the most glorious day to come in the history of the world.
We all know how the story ends. Mary and Joseph found a stable in which to welcome the birth of their son Jesus. Angles sang to shepherds. Wise men ventured west to visit. A king was born. Out of the desperation and hopelessness of the situation, something amazing happened. Could something like that happen again? Maybe.
What if, instead of bemoaning the gifts we could not buy or the meal we could not cook, this Christmas we focused on the real reason December 25 is special. And it is not because we gather with family. Not that we sing Christmas carols. Not because we enjoy decorations. No, it is special because this day, unlike any other, is the day we remember when a teenage couple found joy in a place where animals slept. It is special because a group of lowly shepherds were chosen to receive news of the birth of a savior. Special because that baby would grow to become the hope of the world.
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.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke, 2:1-20
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