December 20: Journey of Returning
♫ Music:
Journey to Bethlehem
Luke 2:1-5
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.
Love Story
by Calvin Miller
She waits while over there he knocks. Again
Refused! Nor is there place throughout the town.
Be strong as steel lest Joseph sense the pain
You feel. It’s yet a while till you lie down
To sleep. “There’s nowhere else to go tonight,”
He said. She fought the burning in her eyes--
Rebuked her tears before they fell. Starlight
Crowned the cold, small town with fiery skies.
He took her in his arms and that embrace
Dissolved the desperation that they faced.
“I paid the stable rent,” he said with shame.
“Your son will come tonight,” she said. He gave
A kiss. Joy hushed the night! Salvation came--
An infant whimper from the shepherd’s cave.
JOURNEY OF RETURNING
Joseph and Mary were obedient to Rome in traveling 90 miles to return to Bethlehem, the city of David, as prophesied in Micah, to register for the census. As you watch and listen to the video, I invite you to imagine their journey. The terrain was not easy and the winter was cold, possibly 30 degrees during the day and wet, rainy, uncomfortable and freezing as they tried to find shelter at night. Can you imagine traveling 90 miles on foot? And on top of that, Mary was very pregnant, carrying our Savior, the baby Jesus. With Joseph by her side, she probably rode on a donkey for more than a week. It had to have been challenging for her, balancing on the donkey with birth pains, not knowing when she might go into labor. I wonder what worries filled Joseph’s mind, would they find shelter that night, or what if she goes into labor while on the side of the road, or would they run into wild animals in the forested areas of the Jordan River? Their journey of returning, was filled with hardships and dangers as they persevered.
Our journeys, can also have invitations to “return,” possibly to our places of origin, our family homes and traditions, or “kinds” of adoptions for those of us that have many unknowns in our lives. It seems so easy to breeze through this passage in the birth of Christ narrative and miss the actual journey… I find myself struck by Joseph and Mary’s journey to return to the place from which they came--with its culture, heritage and family history. It is significant that they returned to Bethlehem, the city of David. It reminds me that where we come from matters. God has placed me on a journey, one of more fully understanding my Japanese-American history and the pilgrimage my loyal, hard-working, and strong-enduring family members lived followed WWII. Knowing their stories of perseverance, silent-long-suffering, sacrifice, love and resiliency has influenced and formed parts of who I am today.
Our stories matter. Our history matters. They are the beautiful, joyous and painful pieces of who we are and where we come from. As we return to these stories, we may come to understand more fully, what has been passed down and inherited: wisdom, traditions, work ethic, what makes us comfortable or not, generational sin, oppression and journeys of freedom. As we come to understand how these things have formed and impacted us and how we interact with one another, we can see how we are influenced by our his-tory. Essentially, God’s Story, lived out in us… His-story, is what he has done and is doing in our lives. During this time of year, I invite you to remember or discover more of your history and how that has equipped you for His calling. Who we are and where we come from is a part of what makes us uniquely, beautifully and wonderfully made in His image.
Prayer
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I thank you that you were at work behind the scenes of Mary and Joseph’s journey to bring about your will and in the same way, you are working behind the scenes of our lives to bring about your kingdom work. May you give us the courage to allow you to continue to grow and form us more and more into who you created us to be, empowered by your Holy Spirit to live out what you have called us to do for your glory.
Amen.
Lisa Ishihara
Director, Chapel Programs
CCCA Video: Breath of Heaven
About the Video:
“Breath of Heaven” with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, helps us imagine just a little, what it might have been like to be in Mary’s situation, pregnant and on the road to Bethlehem. Vince Gill’s startling interpretation adds another dimension to the mix, with visual images from artists both past and present. Ultimately this video is meant to help viewers ponder anew the mystery of the incarnation.
About the Music:
“Breath of Heaven” (Mary’s Song)
Lyrics:
We have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside.
And I wonder what I've done,
Holy Father, you have come
And chosen my love
To carry your son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am troubled by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone.
Be with me now.
Be with me now.
Breath of heaven,
Hold me together.
Be forever near me.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness.
Pour over me your holiness.
For you are holy,
Breath of heaven.
Do you wonder as you watch my face.
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am,
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong,
Help me be,
Help me.
About the Composers:
Composer Chris Eaton (b. 1958) has developed a profile as one of Britain's classic songwriters. His unique brand of 'white soul' song writing has made him a favourite pop artist. Chris has enjoyed a special working relationship with Amy Grant since she first recorded his song 'Little Town.' He continues to write music recorded by a variety of superb artists.
http://www.chriseaton.co.uk/p20/store
Lyricist Amy Lee Grant (b. 1960) has built a long, successful career on music that matters. Ever since she burst on the scene as a fresh-faced teenager bringing contemporary Christian music to the forefront of American culture, the Nashville native gained a reputation for creating potent songs that examined life’s complexities with an open heart and keen eye. She became the first artist in Christian music to have a platinum record and went on to become a crossover sensation, her musical gifts transcending genre boundaries to make her a household name. She’s earned six Grammy Awards and numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards as well as three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums. She’s achieved 10 Top 40 pop singles and placed 17 hits on the Top 40 Adult Contemporary chart as well as scoring numerous hits on the contemporary Christian charts.
http://amygrant.com/#home
About the Performer:
Vince Gill (b. 1957) is an American country singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a vocalist and musician have placed him in high demand as a guest vocalist and a duet partner. Gill has recorded more than 20 studio albums, charted over 40 singles on the U.S. Billboard charts, sold more than 26 million albums, won 20 Grammys, and earned 18 CMA Awards, including two Entertainer of the Year trophies.
https://vincegill.com/
About the Poet:
Calvin Miller (1937-2012), a native of Enid, Oklahoma, was a faithful servant of the church. Though he only pastored two churches in his lifetime, his 25-years of service at Westside Church in Omaha, Nebraska, shaped his ministry and that of many others. Under his leadership, Westside grew from 10 members to over 2,500 when he left to join the faculty of Southwestern Seminary in 1991. Beginning in 1999, Dr. Miller served at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. A prolific writer, he authored more than forty books and countless poems and free-lance articles. Dr. Miller was deeply committed to evangelism, apologetics, and cultural engagement for the cause of Christ. He spent a great deal of time writing love letters to his Lord of which Love Story is but one example.