Dec. 10, 2007

A Different Perspective on Christmas

When we think of Christmas, we usually think about wondrous beauty, warm and inviting smells and lots of friendly faces (as long as you're not shopping!). We think about  beautiful trees, twinkling lights, roaring fires, hot cocoa...  But have you ever stopped to think about what the first Christmas was like? Though it's debatable as to the time of year HE was actually born, it does say in Luke 2 that the angel came to the shepherds at night, and I would assume that the only time the inns would be full would be at night. So if JESUS was born at night, it would at least have been on the cooler side. So there goes that toasty fire... JESUS was born in a stable, a place where animals were kept. Let's just say they weren't smelling hot chocolate or gingerbread. She had no Jenny Lind crib for him with cozy cotton sheets. HE, the King of the World, was laid in a dirty feeding trough for HIS first nap. Think about Mary as well. Not only did she have to accept facing ridicule and being an outcast (and could have been stoned as well) in order to obey GOD, she had to travel (whether by donkey or on foot) while she was nearing her due date. I don't know which would be worse, riding the donkey or footing it. Joseph was also tested right off. Was he going to believe that his "wife" was pregnant yet still a virgin? How many men do you think could accept that one? I can only imagine what the parents had to say... In order to accept GOD's will for their life, they had to be willing to endure much hardship, ridicule, ostracism. GOD didn't offer them a comfy life complete with benefits. Hmmm. Don't forget, they had to leave the country (!) for a couple of years after HE was born in order to protect this ONE who completely turned their world upside down. And Mary and Joseph didn't have family nearby to tell them how to raise a child, especially the SON OF GOD. Not even seasoned friends to call with their questions... Back to the stable though. After they had spent all day traveling out in the elements and then knocking on doors in search of a spot to rest, it's time. Now in those days, men were not present during births. Well, I don't think Joseph had much choice. I can't picture him leaving her by herself. I also can't picture him being a great doula either. No pain meds, maybe not even clean water or clean cloths to use. Where are all the comforts we look forward to at Christmastime? They weren't at this one! To top it all off, who does the angel tell of this great and absolutely wonderful miracle that has just occurred? The angel tells some shepherds, the lowest of lows in those days. Let's just say that shepherds were not highly thought of in those days. Their word would not even hold up in court. No great flashing lights, no instant messaging for all the world to read, no picture on a Christmas card, no holiday special to watch. GOD announces the birth of a perfect, sinless baby who would become the Savior of the world to a measly bunch of shepherds. Hmm... Now I'm not knocking all the traditions we have today. I just know that I have felt the pull to get back to simplicity for this holiday. I want to remember the extraordinary ordinariness of this event. Don't miss, too, how GOD was breaking social norms even from the beginning. HE didn't do things the way people expected HIM to do it. HE chose people who were nobody special in the world's eyes to take part in this great, once in a lifetime event. Young Mary, quiet Joseph, lowly shepherds, a stable full of animals... We can experience the grandness of Christmas today because of HIS great mercy and grace which places us as royalty in HIS kingdom. We don't deserve it. We can't earn it. So this Christmas, take a moment to remember the first Christmas. Remember the simplicity of it. Remember the ordinariness of it. Remember the sacrifices made for it to happen. Remember the choices that Mary and Joseph had to make. Remember how differently GOD does things than how we think HE should. May you have a truly "Mary" Christmas.

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