I love Christmas. To think of our infinite God becoming an infant. And that first Christmas, Luke’s Gospel chapter 2, verse 4 says, “And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, under the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.” So here’s Mary, great with child. This decree has gone forth. Mary and Joseph now have to travel 70 to 75 miles uphill. And they’re traveling, no doubt, on a donkey. It’s mostly uphill on this journey.

So if you could picture Mary, I could imagine Joseph. This was a treacherous journey. I got to thinking back. My wife and I have four children, and we’ve got stories about every one of them and their birth, and we love our kids so very much. I couldn’t imagine my wife traveling 70 to 75 miles on a paved road in a luxury vehicle if she was great with a child. To consider this difficult journey Mary and Joseph had. They’d been outcast, no doubt, from their friends and family. This announcement, of course, that she was expecting.

So now they have this journey all the way up, and then there’s no room for them in the end as well. But the reality is they were going to bring to this Earth the greatest blessing that’s ever been known to man, the Savior of the world. I want to encourage you. No matter how difficult your journey is, trust the Lord because the greatest blessings of God could be right around the corner.

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John Evertson

John Evertson, GSBC Campus Pastor

In June 2000, after graduating from Golden State Baptist College, John Evertson answered the call to pastor West Valley Baptist Church in Woodland, California. After 19 years, God moved Pastor and Mrs. Evertson to Santa Clara. Pastor Evertson is instrumental in the church and serves as the Campus Pastor for Golden State Baptist College to help guide the future servants of God. Pastor & Mrs. Evertson have four children — Josiah, Jeremiah, Joy, and Joshua.