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Here is our Christmas Countdown Clock! Day Sixteen activities If you have an Advent Wreath - here is a short reading and ceremony before lighting the two candles. Isaiah Ch9 V6 and 7 Birth of Jesus foretold by Isaiah: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. These are wonderful words from Isaiah, he must have been quite a man to be given such privileged information about the future. Throughout the Old Testament there have been men and women who were close to God, who served Him faithful and were blessed by God. It is as if each of them, through their lives, actions and faith were pointing to someone higher, the promised one, Immanuel, God with us. None of them could ever understand what God had in mind for His world, except that there was to be a child. I think that we are as divorced from the events as the Old Testament people were - they were looking forward while we look back in nostalgia - and fail to imagine the hardships that Mary and Joseph suffered, from the time of the annunciation to their eventual return to Nazareth many years later, having been exiled in Egypt. Although the people of the time didn't realise it, the whole world was about to change for ever - not one of them could imagine how this child would bring the message of God's love and change the world and over 2000 years later that message is unchanged or undiluted and as relevant today as it was then. We are assured in the passage that, He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.We just need to believe that we are part of the family of God and willingly share that with others, family, friends, anyone in need. It is a wonderful to be part of such an eternal family, so this Christmas let us give our Faithful and gracious God thanks. Prayer: Gracious God we give thanks that we are part of You extended family, one that extends back so many years to all the faithful in the Old Testament and all the faithful followers of Your beloved Son Jesus. We recognise the sacrifice of Mary and Joseph, the love they gave to Your Son, the hardships and deprivation, being refugees in a strange country, but being faithful through it all. Father help us to see that example and apply it to our own circumstances that we too may be faithful in our relationship with Your Son, that we may know that peace that He brings, that peace that is never ending. Lord hear our prayer as we light our candles. Amen. Something to think about and do today The Journey I thought that we should think about the Journey that Mary and Joseph undertook, in midwinter, to be registered for the census. You can see the suggested route that they took on the map below, however, no one really knows but we can imagine how difficult it must have been especially for Mary. Click here to find out more about Nazareth and its story online - Opens in a new window Click here to find out more about Bethlehem online - Opens in a new window Watch the Nativity Story and think about how Mary and Joseph would have felt at the time The Journey: This would have been a very difficult journey for Mary as she was due to have her baby any time. It would have been uncomfortable and tiring. The roads were little better than tracks or paths even though the Romans had occupied the country for a long time. There were wild animals along the way to contend with and there were bands of robbers. We can only imagine how arduous the journey would have been, they would have had to carry all their provisions for long cold days and even colder nights. They may have been forced to camp as there were few places to stay even assuming Joseph had the money to pay for a nights lodging. They would try to avoid Samaritan territory as the Jews had no dealings with them, they might even have been afraid of the Samaritans. It is possible that they might have been offered hospitality on route as it was an obligation on the Jewish people to offer help, rest and food. I often wonder if they saw the star or were they too preoccupied to notice, maybe they didn't even think about the fact that the star was for them, we will never know. 90 Miles is a long way for anyone, but as Mary was pregnant she would have been worried, sore, tired, hungry and thirsty. It was a time of great stress for Mary, what if the baby had arrived because of the jolting of the donkey - they are most uncomfortable animals to ride? I am certain that the couple were glad to see Bethlehem, then their hopes were dashed - they were unable to find a place to stay, I am sure that Mary would have been really worried by this time, having been rejected in so many inns. Eventually the Inn keeper offered the Stable and they accepted gratefully. It was good of the inn keeper to help them, I don't know why he gets such a bad press, he did his best under the circumstances and he would have been a very busy man. Then the birth happened, no midwife, just a worried Joseph and the animals, but all was well and Mother and child were fine. He was wrapped in strips of cloth as was the custom, so he was cosy in the crib lined with sweet smelling hay. Their joy was interrupted by the Shepherds wanting to see the child - it was quite a night for them all. I often wonder what happened the next day, did they get a room in the inn or did the continue to use the stable. Once they where registered they had to wait 8 days and then take Jesus to the Temple, and then the Wise men arrived to worship the child. They brought expensive gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrhh. By this time King Herod was trying to kill all the boy children in the area as he didn't want any rivals to his throne. And poor Mary and Joseph were on the road again, refugees, running away to Egypt where they had to stay until King Herod died. Eventually they were able to come back to Nazareth where Jesus learned to be a carpenter alongside his father, but that is another story for another day! Click here to play a Nativity Puzzle online - Opens in a new window Here is a picture of Mary, Joseph and Donkey to colour in - right click to download the picture and colour it in using your Paint Programme.