Submitted by Pastor Andrew Sanders, Fairfax United Methodist Church

Luke 2:4-7: 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:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

We are in an exciting but different time of Advent anticipating the coming of the Lord! As preparations move forward many of us may feel a little dismayed to what this year had to offer. There have been many plans unfulfilled because of the circumstances of the day. These frustrations can seem overwhelming.

I am sure the first few Christmases or (birthdays) that Jesus celebrated would have felt just as interrupted as many people feel currently. Mary and Joseph were uprooted from their home in a tumultuous period. The reigning appointed Roman Emperor had called for a census. Since the Jewish land was occupied by Rome each Jewish household, regardless of circumstance, was obligated to travel to the place of their birth for a count.

Knowing that Mary was about to give birth, I believe that she and Joseph would have rather stayed at the home they created with each other. There is a great possibility that Joseph, being a carpenter by trade, had handcrafted toys for Jesus to play with and a crib to lay their newborn son in. Those plans would have had to be put on hold while the circumstances of their world would drive the outcome of what had to happen. What did happen is there was an overcrowding of hometowns, and people could not find any place to stay for even one night. Mary went into labor, and Joseph found a stable, brushing away anything undesirable and dirty so that a baby could be born.

Jesus, our Lord, was born in a dirty dusty stable, even though many other plans would have been a much better choice, but circumstances offered something much different. After Jesus was born Mary and Joseph could not return to their home they built together for another few years. The Roman Emperor was searching to kill the newborn “King of the Jews!”

With that brief history lesson, we can see that the circumstances of this world have a way of changing in an instant. We can have the same hope that Mary and Joseph had during those first few years of Jesus’ life. Through Mary and Joseph’s faith they were able to see past the disappointment of the plans they had that were diminished, they instead looked to a greater hope beyond this world. The hope that Mary and Joseph had is that Jesus came into this world to overcome.

We too have that same hope. Ours is in the form of expectantly waiting for Jesus’ second coming! I know that many plans have changed or have fallen apart completely. Friends, don’t lose hope on the circumstances of this world. Trust that Christ will overcome. Until then we can still make plans to meet differently this year, in safe ways.

Fairfax United Methodist Church is planning to have a Christmas Eve service regardless of circumstance. We have planned an inside masked service with social distancing and have planned an alternative service out on the front steps of our church, if needed. Fairfax UMC’s Christmas Eve service will be at 5:00 p.m. We don’t know what will happen from one moment to the next, but we can still find our hope resting in Christ knowing our plans may change on earth, but God’s eternal plans never fail.

If you have a church home, please find some way of attending the services safely so that you may be filled with the peace of Christ instead of the angst of the world. If you don’t have a church home, you can either worship with Fairfax United Methodist Church in person at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday or online at wwwfacebook.com/fairfaxumcmo.

Whatever your plans for this season I pray that you stay safe and have a Merry Christmas filled with the hope of Christ!