11th December

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. -Luke 2:6-7

There's a popular theory in progressive Christianity (the model of Christianity I buy into) that the sin of Sodom is not a sexual sin but (if you read the book of Genesis carefully, and Ezekiel who states it quite plainly) their sin was a lack of hospitality. They had plenty but didn't share it with those in need. If this, as I believe, is the case then being hospitable and sharing with those in need is one of the most important things we can do as it's one of the things God values most.
We know very little about the people or person who took pity on Mary, about to give birth, and Joseph, anxious at her side, but they did something wonderful.
Whilst my husband has been looking for work we've found the most overwhelming generosity of spirit amongst people, sometimes people we don't even know that well. It's a timely reminder that people are good, and often reflections of God in our lives.

10th December

He went there with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. -Luke 2:5

Being heavily pregnant is the worst. Being heavily pregnant when there's important stuff to be done is exhausting - I can't imagine how Mary felt having to travel all that way in that condition.
My first child was born on 11th January so I spent a very uncomfortable Christmas whilst I was expecting her. My son on the other hand was born in the middle of a heatwave - which presents it's own challenges!
Yet pregnancy is one of the most natural and normal things imaginable. It's ordinary. God chose to enter the Wold in the most ordinary way possible.

9th December

And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.” -Luke 2:3-4

Joseph makes his appearance today. The interaction between Mary and Gabriel has been spread over several days but here there's no mention of Joseph's struggle and his own angelic encounter. We see him in a functional role, here because he was descended from David, helping form those all-too-neat genealogies that don't quite add up.
I think Joseph's often pushed out a bit, we hear almost nothing of him after the nativity story. I want to know more about him and how his son affected him and changed his life.