“In two miles, take the right exit to Grandma’s house.” Okay, my navigation system didn’t really say that, but give AI a couple more years and it will probably be able to do just that.

Our navigation systems are increasingly precise. I had one car that would announce, “You have arrived,” only I’d find that it had dumped me at the end of the street, leaving me to find the address on the curb. If you are like me, you have the expectation that your navigation system will take you to your desired destination. We want to go where we want to go!

I’m sure Joseph and Mary had the same thought. The “tax man” had mandated they go to Bethlehem. It is estimated that it took them at least a week to travel the 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. No public transportation. No booking a room reservation. Rather, a very pregnant young Mary made the arduous journey for seven-plus days only to discover there were no vacancies to be found.

Finally, a place was offered in a stable behind an inn. This is not to be confused with the barns in those Hallmark Christmas movies. This barn likely had cows, horses, donkeys, and more.

If this were your VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) experience, I’m sure there would be a scathing customer review letter. And yet it was here the Son of God was born into the world. No trumpets. No fanfare. Just some scruffy shepherds with an amazing story of an angelic host and the announcement of a Savior!

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, ESV)

But God, according to His divine plans and purposes, orchestrated this seemingly bad road trip down to the minutest detail. It was only fitting that God the Incarnate Son, Who laid down the glory He had from the beginning with the Father (John 17:4), would be born into the most humbling circumstances imaginable. There could be no other way for this God man who left the eternal glory of Heaven to come as the sin-bearer for humanity. This Son of God whom the Apostle Paul tells us committed the ultimate act of self-denial when He “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)

No castles. No banners. No white stallions. No worldly acclamation.

So it is with those who commit themselves to the Savior, Christ the King, born in humility as the Lamb of God, but coming again as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The Holy Spirit is our navigation system, but unlike Dora the Explorer (my navigation system), He doesn’t take us down the freeway on the shortest route in the shortest time. He will take us down bumpy roads and darkened streets, through wind and storms, dry places, and obscure little backwater places. The Holy Spirit will take us down a road that will mold us into a Christian who looks like Jesus, and the most important quality He is searching for is humility.

Jesus came in a gracious act of humility, born as a baby in a stable. He left this world after another act of humility when He washed the disciples’ feet before going to the cross. Oh, to see a generation that embraces humility and servanthood as our Lord did.

Perhaps this Christmas season would be a good time to reflect on the child who was King, for “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) We may not bring gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

Let this be the song of our heart this Advent season:

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

(“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”)

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!