The tree is decorated, the gifts carefully wrapped and labeled, the tablecloth and centrepiece laid just so. Christmas cards have been written, sealed and sent. The sweet treats are baked and the turkey is frozen but waiting to be roasted to perfection.  Beds are made and ready for family who will spend the holidays at home with us...

Does this sound like the ideal plan for a perfect Christmas?

When I read in Matthew and Luke the accounts of that first Christmas, it was anything but ideal!  Mary's upcoming marriage was threatened by an unexpected pregnancy.  Joseph nearly divorced his betrothed but in a dream God intervened.  A census was decreed by the Roman Emperor, so Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to register.  And then there was no room at the inn!

So many obstacles and unpleasantly unplanned events lead up to Jesus' birth.  But it didn't stop there.  Once Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary stayed in Bethlehem for possibly a couple of years.  Then after the visit from the wisemen, Herod, king of Judea plotted to find and kill this child, who might threaten his throne.  In yet another dream, Joseph is directed to take Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt until Herod's rampage was over. They were able to return to Nazareth once Herod died.

Real life has difficulties.  There is no perfect Christmas, no hassle-free holiday.  Our Saviour was born into poverty and persecution.  But God knew.  And by His sovereign will Jesus came and nothing could stop His arrival!

"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth."  Luke 2:6

The "time came" in God's perfect timing and that's all that matters.