I told a friend just last week over a warmed cup of coffee; Christmas season doesn’t really start for me, until I hear my pastor Dan Slagle read the journey of Christ and His glorious birth.
When I think about being little and hearing the story of Jesus’ birth, I remember being amazed at such an important baby being born in a manger. I even remember being amazed that Mary said yes to the angel without a second thought. But mostly I remember having a romanticized version of the Nativity in my mind.
I pictured Mary serene and in confidence. I imagined her smiling and joyful because such an amazing thing was asked of her. My mind saw her as she was in all the pictures and Nativity scenes… lovely, peaceful, wearing spotless garments, draped in indigo and hair always perfect. The barn was unstirred, and the manger seemed as though it was always meant for a baby.
If only life here were truly that picture perfect.
A few years ago, The Nativity Story; from the movie trailers looked so real of the depiction of their journey. I wasn’t able to go see it and honestly forgot about it shortly thereafter. I then noticed it running on Hallmark afterwards, so I sat myself down to watch it and got lost in the story.
This story; The one where their lives were full of the worry of work and taxes and what neighbors think of you, The account where Mary says yes to the angel, but walks away with questions and concerns. The one where Joseph needs coaxing to believe in Mary, the one where her parents want her to stay home from the census to protect her, the one where their neighbors reject them for what is alleged as their sinful ways; The account where Mary and Joseph admit their fears to each other but continue on their journey because they answered the call to do what was simply right.
They didn’t just peacefully travel to Bethlemen on a brown donkey, as we see in the children books. They struggled. They ran out of food. They nearly lost their footing crossing a river and Mary prayed aloud that God would help them find a way to get through their journey.
She didn’t ask for their way to be made simple. She didn’t ask for God to reveal His plan to all so she wouldn’t have to suffer the disgrace. She didn’t ask for it to be easy.
Mary simply asked for help and strength.
It seems almost natural for us to think that life is supposed to be easy. Or, if we’re on the right path, that it should be made smooth for us. But if we can learn anything from Mary and Joseph, it’s that we should press ahead doing right for right’s sake. Whether the journey seems impossible, or it seems we deserve better.
Mary and Joseph didn’t wait until they were in a peaceful home to be grateful that God had pulled them through. In the middle of the rough circumstances they found at the stable, they recognized the gift that had been given to them.
Blessings in the straw…
We are here because He was born.
How blessed we are.
