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Also see Phil's article to keep on track with a related message.

Many of us have hard travel during the Christmas holidays. Too much food, too many miles, too many travelers, too little sleep, too much family, and before you know, we find ourselves saying, "You've got to be kidding me.

Yet our travel is nothing compared to what Joseph and Mary faced during what is called the first Christmas season. Mary went from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea. Then back to Nazareth. Then she went back to Bethlehem with Joseph and Jesus was born. Then they went to the synagogue in Behlehem to have Jesus circumcised on the eighth day. Then they went to Jerusalem and the Temple 40 days after Jesus was born for Jesus' dedication and Mary's purification. Then after a visit from the Magi and Joseph being warned in a dream, they had to go all the way to Egypt to escape Herod's murder attempt on baby Jesus. Then after time had passed, they were going to return to Bethlehem, but couldn't because Herod's son was on the throne, so they traveled all the way back north to Nazareth and fulfilled prophecy that Jesus would be called The Nazarene. Now that's hard travel on foot, by donkey, or in a cart! I've wondered how many times they wondered, "You've got to be kidding me!"

But as rough as the physical travel was for them, the emotional and spiritual journey was much tougher! They faced hardship and danger almost immediately. Mary knew she risked losing Joesph to the amazing explanation of Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit. They both knew they would lose face and no longer be considered righteous. Everyone would think the worst of Mary and she would face that all of her life — and God made sure they had to live it down in Nazareth where they were all best known.

But let's remember what Mary said when faced with this awesome undertaking: "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me according to your word!" And Mary didn't just say it, she lived it and apparently taught it to God's Son, Jesus. Remember what he prays in the Lord's Prayer? "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Sounds a lot like what Mary prayed, doesn't it! And remember what Jesus prayed in the Garden when he was facing his own awful death, "Abba Father, all things are possible for you. Let this cup pass from me ... but not not my will, but yours be done!" Again, sounds remarkable like what Mary said at the beginning doesn't it!

The story of Jesus' birth is more than a sentimental memory: it's about God knocking on the door of our hearts and asking us to accept Jesus and letting him change our story. There may be times we feel like saying, "You've got to be kidding me!" because the story doesn't unfold exactly like we planned. But if we will offer ourselves in response to God's invitation, if we will say, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me according to your word," who knows the wonders we will experience and the place our journey will take us!