Who did the Laundry for Mary and Joseph? A Christmas Reflection on Daily Cleansing

In the quiet stillness of the Christmas story, there are so many little details we often overlook. We imagine the stable, the manger, the animals, and the holy family bathed in the glow of that miraculous night. But let’s get real for a moment: who did the laundry for Mary and Joseph?

It’s a funny question, right? Yet, it’s one that makes the Christmas story feel even more human. Mary and Joseph were real people living real lives. After the birth of Jesus, there would have been cloths to wash, swaddling bands to clean, and the gritty reality of daily life to tend to—even amidst the most extraordinary event in history. Maybe Joseph found a bucket of water and scrubbed away with weary hands. Maybe a kind innkeeper’s wife helped out. Or maybe, like so many things in life, it just became one more humble act of service in the great story of God stepping into our mess.

This got me thinking about how much our faith journey is like doing laundry. Every day, we bring our sins, our shortcomings, and our messy hearts before God. And every day, He offers us the ultimate cleanser: His good will, His mercy, His grace. It’s the divine equivalent of a washing machine that never breaks down and always gets out even the toughest stains.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) That’s our daily cycle of cleansing. It’s about more than just asking for forgiveness; it’s about stepping into the rhythm of grace, receiving God’s forgiveness and extending it to others. Each day, we have the opportunity to put on a clean heart and a fresh attitude, knowing that God’s love makes us new.

But here’s the thing: laundry is never a one-and-done chore. Neither is the work of our spiritual cleansing. Just like Mary and Joseph likely had to wash and rewash those cloths, we have to come back to God daily, allowing His Spirit to scrub away the grime we accumulate. It’s not a sign of failure—it’s a sign of faithfulness. God knows our struggles and welcomes us to His cleansing grace every time.

This Christmas season, as we think about the manger and the miracle of Jesus’ birth, let’s also remember the humble, everyday acts that surrounded that holy night. Let’s remember that the God who entered the world in a stable is the same God who enters the messy stables of our hearts, washing us clean with His love.

So, who did the laundry for Mary and Joseph? We’ll never know for sure. But one thing we do know: God has always been in the business of cleansing. And this Christmas, that’s worth celebrating.

As my mentor, John Wimber, used to say, “I need to get born again, again.” He always said it with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He understood the human condition, our necessity for a Savior who will make us new every day.

Blessings, Charlie