Where was Grandma?

Experience opens your eyes to many things. The first year we were in Switzerland I realized that I had never really considered the part of the Christmas story when Joseph was told by an angel to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. For the first time I pondered all the cross cultural experiences that must have impacted their lives. Did anyone help them with the language? Could they find the cooking ingredients Mary needed to make Joseph's favorite meals? Was there a Jewish synagogue for them to worship at? Did they feel alone and isolated? Were they able to make friends there? Was there anyone to help when they had a "cultural" question? How do you move to a new country with no job, no home, no connections?

I will never again read that portion of scripture the same way.

And this year's life experiences have left me wondering anew.

Where were Jesus' grandparents? Did they go to Bethlehem for the census as well? How had they responded to Joseph or Mary telling them that she was with child by the Holy Spirit? Was there a grandma around to help make those swaddling clothes? Did she sit up with Mary in the night to help get Jesus back to sleep? Did she hold and snuggle baby Jesus? Did she sew for him? Was she there to answer questions that all new moms have since they certainly didn't have a parenting book or internet resources to help?Were there loving aunts and uncles to dote on him? Did they give him presents at his birth?



We are not told all those details, but I do wonder. The birth of a child, a grandchild, is such a joyous occasion for the family. I can't imagine a birth without all the joyous times that come with spending time as an extended family with this new little one.

I hope Mary and Joseph's family did not miss out on the birth of this child and yet as I look at the world around me, I realize many have missed the importance of this birth. It's lost in Santa Claus and reindeer. It's lost when the focus becomes the mall and what we want. It's lost when the focus is just on the stable, not the reason that this child came, to provide mankind that which mankind could not provide for themselves. The way to God. A relationship now with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forgiveness of sin. Eternal life. A reason for living.

My prayer is that none will miss out on the truth that is the joy of this season.
Emmanuel, God with us.