Monday's thoughts

"Why Did Joseph Have To Take a Number?"

I don't like to stand in line. It's assumed that is a universal feeling. I have always wondered what was going on in Bethlehem that Joseph would have to come to register. Why would that have been necessary? What was going on in the country at the time?

Some scholars scoff at the idea that there was a census. Some scholars make the assumption that it was all fiction. Truth is, it is hard to document, historically, that there would have been such a thing at that time. Maybe there was some kind of registration that was required. Maybe there was some aggravating event that led to this unfortunate trip to Bethlehem.

Some scholars suggest that Jesus wasn't really born in Bethlehem. They say it was fiction. It was told symbolically so that it could be said that Jesus came from the same city as David. I have never resolved some of this to my satisfaction and I intend to explore it during the week.

The relevance to our lives is evident. There are times of inconvenience and some of those times are the most trying and the most productive.

Christmas season and Advent is full of registrations and census and consensus and going places we would rather not be and doing things we're not sure we have the time to accomplish.

What is the Bethlehem in your life?
How do we comply without becoming comatose?

If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles