63. Perfect Timing

City Streets

This couldn’t have worked out any better if I had maneuvered and planned it all ahead of time.

The next block in the Bible Sampler Quilt project takes us to the story of the nativity. Just like Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem, my timing here on the blog is perfect.

Now I will confess that I have not completed my Bible reading from Jeremiah to Luke. The many pages that remain in the Old Testament have been called the “sticky” pages of the Bible. I suppose it’s because they contain the many books of the minor prophets. How quickly could you open your Bible and turn to the book of Joel, or Habakkuk, or Nahum? I’ve made the decision to break with my plan to plow straight through because I’ve completed the next two blocks and I want to share them with you. They are about the birth of Christ, and I just couldn’t stop myself. Besides, the next several blocks are “out of order” so to speak. Laurie Aaron Hird jumps all around the four gospels as she unfolds the birth, life, and death of Jesus. I consider myself in good company here. I will return to where I left off after Christmas, which is the book of Lamentations. I think you would agree that the prospect of “Lamentations” doesn’t conjure feelings of joy, peace, and goodwill toward men.

Our family Christmas tradition includes the reading aloud of Luke 2. Christmas wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t pause and listen to this miraculous account. Its familiarity makes the feeling of comfort and joy happen for me.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”