The Cost of Christmas    
Part 1

   No, we don't mean the cost of gifts or what we spent on decorations and holiday food. Nor the cost of travel to be with family.

   Long ago, when all travel was hard, a virgin named Mary, due to give birth, accompanied Joseph her betrothed on a journey of 90 miles. (Where was her obstetrician?) When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no Hampton Inn with a free breakfast. 

   They settled in a dark stable for animals, where she gave birth to the Son of God. Favor shepherds with the good news! The King of Glory has come to fulfill the law, and men will see him do it!     

   Mary, "highly favored" said the angel, wasn't spared hardship. The worst was yet to come. Her son would bear the ultimate cost.

   What do we mean when we wish people, "Merry Christmas?" Is the holiday merry only because we're free, healthy and well off, surrounded by friends and relatives, or are we glad our Savior came at last? 

   A friend's husband went home about this time last year. Her first Christmas without him is not especially merry.

   When I was young, expecting gifts, Christmas mornings were awesome. Many years later, during a dark period, Christmas day in the same house was horrid. Four years later, Christmas decorations were still up when my office closed, with no apparent prospects for new employment. 

   Mary's "child" now offers merry eternal life...no dark days. But first, the cost. 

Tomorrow: His story