At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:1-5‬ (‭NLT‬‬)

Today is the Advent Sunday of Love. Our journey through this season is drawing to an end. A few more steps, a few more days and the celebration will be upon us. 

But for now, we continue our journey as we remember the journey that Joseph and Mary took. From Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David. 

Mary and Joseph travelled because a census was being taken and they had to go to Joseph’s home town in order to be counted. That was the reason they had for taking their journey. But we know that the real reason was that God had decided that Bethlehem would be the pace where Love would put on flesh and bone and become one of us. The prophets foretold it.

And so they travelled. Because the world needed Love. Not in some sentimental or schmaltzy way. The world needed the pure, unspoiled love of God to become human. To be one of us so that we could know him. So that He could teach and heal and save us. So that, putting our trust in Him, we could live with him forever. 

This Advent, may you know that Love came down at Christmas. May you know that Love crossed the universe for you. And may you trust in the Love that came to save us all.