Unsettled

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-6

As Americans, we usually think of our homes as settled, permanent. But that’s not the case for most of our new American neighbors—those who are refugees or seeking asylum. They are in America, not because they chose to come, but because other forces brought them—war, persecution, hardships, famine. Like Mary and Joseph, they must live where the wind blows them—and wait to see if they will be uprooted again.

Jesus understands that situation intimately. Though he is God, he chose to be born as a human being in a conquered nation, subject to the authority of a far-off emperor who never even knew he was alive. His mother gave birth to him on a journey, in temporary housing far from her relatives. And even after he was born, they found no permanent home for years—living first in Bethlehem and then in Egypt to save Jesus’ life from an evil king. Jesus chose to share this unsettled life with the people he came to save through his suffering, death, and resurrection.

We, too, can share in the burdens of these people Jesus loves, through our gifts, our service, and our prayers. And we can remember that we, too, are not settled yet—until the day Jesus returns to take us all home.

Dear Father, bless and care for our new neighbors, and help them to find peace and permanence in you. Amen.

By Dr. Kari Vo