Returning to …….

Returning to Bethlehem

Pastor Calvin Cook

December 24, 2025

Scripture reference – Luke 2:3–7 (NLT)

“All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census…”

Joseph had a reason to return to his ancestral home, it wasn’t because he wanted to, he had to. The Gospel of Luke tells us that because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go back to Bethlehem, to be counted in the census. This wasn’t a sentimental trip. It wasn’t convenient. It wasn’t comfortable. It was necessary. Something important was tied to that place, it was returning to what at that time was important.

So, Joseph with Mary who was great with child, returned.

He left Nazareth. He traveled the hard road. He carried new responsibility, there was much uncertainty, but yet I can’t help to believe that Joseph knew that God was doing something far bigger than he could fully understand. He brought Mary with him expecting, vulnerable, trusting. And in that act of hearing God’s call on their life, history turned. Not just the history for that moment, but our history yet today.

Bethlehem wasn’t just a town. It was a reminder of promise. Of lineage. Of covenant. Of God’s faithfulness.

Every year the pressing feeling of returning home becomes more and more persistent to me. Returning to something may not be to a physical place, though that desire is very real, but returning to what truly matters most.

To return to quiet in a noisy world.

To return to faith when distractions have pulled us away.

To return to love when bitterness has crept in.

To return to a sacred one on one relationship with Jesus when something has pulled us away.

To return to God when we’ve been running on our own strength.

The scripture from Luke 2 and Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem is reminding me this morning that God often does His greatest work when we return to the basics: obedience, trust, faithfulness, and surrender.

Joseph didn’t fully know what awaited him in Bethlehem—but he knew he was supposed to go.

Maybe this season is inviting us to the same kind of return.

To pause.

To reflect.

To come back to the heart of Christmas.

Each of us have something very important to return to this Christmas. You know deep in the depths of your soul what that something is. When we return to what is important, we often find that God has been waiting there all along.

Prayer: Lord, help me return—to You, to what matters, to the simple faith that trusts You even when the road is uncertain. This Christmas, lead me back to Bethlehem. Amen.