Perhaps you will be Joseph — trying to make ends meet; to be the provider you promised to always be. It’s just that plans have changed, and it looks as if expenses are about to go up. Add to that the threat to your sense of security — what if questions that loom over your sense of living up to that promise made months ago. Perhaps you will be Joseph.

Maybe you will be more like Mary — excited and fearful…anxious yet tired…anticipating joy, but feeling dread. Your life has, in so many ways, been at the mercy of others. And now, it almost seems as if it will be more of the same. Maybe you will be Mary.

There’s a good chance you could be the innkeeper — whatever it is that you have…time, patience, money, peace, hope…it all seems to be running short of what is needed. It is very possible this will be the year you say, “No more!” You just hope your “No” will not come at just the wrong time. There’s a chance you are the innkeeper.

Of course, what could a season be without a shepherd? Oh, for a night when you could just take a walk, lay back, or gaze at the evening sky. Who knows, maybe this will be that year — that time when you stop, and God will be revealed to you in ways that cause you to remember just why you love being a shepherd. It’s possible. All you need to do is keep your ears and eyes open for what is to come. This could be that season.

Or maybe you will just be you. Anxious you. Joyous you. Anticipating you. Tired you. Uncertain you. Happy you. Sad you. Embracing you. Wondering you. Loving you. 

Regardless of whom you will be this Christmas, there is one very important thing to remember…God loves you so much that He will send His Son, that if you believe…trust…follow him, the life God’s Son comes to give will be yours; not as payment for a life well-lived or a reward well-earned, but a gift well-given. Receive the gift this day!