Matthew 2:16 - A Christmas Sacrifice of Travel

Many times, my wife has told me this story, and it may be fictional*. But it's true in it's sentiment...

Years ago, a boy in Africa gifted an unusual seashell to a missionary. Being miles from the ocean, the missionary told the boy, "That was a very long walk to find that shell." The boy responded, "The journey was part of the gift." 

Last month, my wife and I headed to Phoenix to meet our our first grandchild. I was having severe sciatica, not knowing that there was a "slipped disk" in my spine. My wife drove the 25 hours to Arizona while I was flat on my back in the rear of the vehicle. We didn't bring a lot of presents on this trip, "The journey was part of the gift."

For Christmas, we planned to fly back to Phoenix, along with our son and daughter-in-law from Seattle. Circumstances changed the plans: just the kids would be in Phoenix for Christmas; my wife and I would stay in Iowa. Then they opted to forgo their plans. Instead of meeting their new niece, my son and his wife traveled to Iowa for Christmas with the folks. "The journey was part of the gift."

If you plot the route from Nazareth to Bethlehem, it takes 33 hours on foot. Christmas cards depict Mary riding side-saddle on a donkey being led by Joseph. But even if they had that luxury, can you imagine the sacrifice Mary made, being "great with child" to travel that far? "The journey was part of the gift."

What did the magi bring to toddler Jesus? "Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh."

Yes, "Toddler Jesus."

"The wise men had told Herod the star first appeared to them about two years earlier." (Matthew 2:16, New Living Translation)

The Star of Bethlehem appeared in the sky when Jesus was born. He was a two-year old toddle when the magi arrived.

Consider what preceded their arrival in Bethlehem. Years of study. Months of tracking the stars. Days, maybe weeks of planning a trip. Stocking up supplies, gathering finances, plotting travel routes. Then exposure to the changing seasons for two whole years, with all its risks and setbacks. "The journey was part of the gift."

Jesus,
There are gifts we have yet to give You. Deeds of kindness for others. Sacrifices of our time, our energy. It may take a long time to get some gifts to their destination. Give us endurance and joy in the journey. Amen

* E.g., https://re-generations.org/the-journey-is-part-of-the-gift/