Leave the luggage behind

“Take nothing for the journey,” Jesus told his disciples. In other words, leave the luggage behind. 

That’s so not me! I do pride myself in being a minimalist traveler, though. Weekend getaways, all tightly stored in a small backpack, two week trips, neatly arranged in one carry-on bag. Packing lists, organizational skills and to do’s are kicked into high gear when I travel. I wouldn’t want to forget anything. Therein lies the delay. 

I wonder what Mary would have packed for her journey to Bethlehem. I wonder if she thought she’d make it back in time to Nazareth to deliver her baby. Certainly, a last minute trip was not something a pregnant woman would plan. We all know pregnant women shouldn’t travel this late in the game. 

Do you think Mary entertained worry and concern? Did anxiety and stress work their way in? Did her mind race with scenarios of what could happen? What was her conversation with Joseph like? Did he put her at ease? Did they prepare together for the journey? What did they pack? Just the silly things I wonder about.

Pre-season Advent goes something like this – this Advent journey is going to be different. I’m really going to get the most out of Advent. I’ll get all my to do’s done ahead of time so I can focus on the birth of Jesus. I’ll pick something to read, which I’ll contemplate and glean some spiritual insight. I’ll spend more time in prayer. This year I’ll plan ahead and when Advent arrives, I’ll soak in what God has to offer during this special season. Yup, this Advent will be different, better, and I’ll do it right!

Truth be known, I enter Advent like I enter any other month of the year, wishing I had more time, wishing I had planned better, accomplished things more timely. Maybe if I were better organized and more on top of things I’d be ready to embrace Advent, I tell myself. 

We are two weeks into Advent, and in an effort to “get the most” out of this Advent, I have actually traveled very little distance. Burdened by the weight of my luggage filled with: “get stuff done, checklists and worry,” unfortunately, I am still sitting in Nazareth. 

Somehow, I don’t think Mary’s journey to Bethlehem began in this fashion. I’m sure her reliance on the Lord trumped the worldly tug of worry and accomplishment. She was asked to take a journey. Was it timely? Definitely not! Was everything in place for taking a trip? Probably not. Nonetheless, she traveled the distance, step by step with Emmanuel, God with her.

Leave the luggage behind! I don’t think I’ll bother to unpack my bags of accumulated “stuff.” Instead, I’ll just leave them curbside. There is still time to take a walk with Emmanuel to a destination called Bethlehem. I would rather arrive in Bethlehem fully present, than remain in Nazareth with all my luggage.

Have you packed anything this Advent that needs to be left curbside?

Jesus, I rest in you.