New Appreciation

Today I read over the story of Christ’s birth in the book of Luke.

I have never before thought of this, but when I read…“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7, I couldn’t help but think how disgusting that must have been.

Have you ever been within a block of stables?

It stinks.
Real bad.

Sometimes when we hear carols of the manger…we think, “Oh, how cute.”
NO!
A manger is not cute. It’s a feeding trough for animals. Feed, animal slobber, it’s not at all cute.

I can’t help myself when I wonder…did Mary get depressed? I would have been thinking, “Hey! I thought the angel said I would bring forth a Savior and now I can’t even get a clean room!” Is God paying attention? I would have been mad, angry, hurt and depressed. All the wrong kinds of attitudes, I would of experienced.

However, maybe Mary did not express those feelings but just prayed for a sign? Because at that same moment an angel visited nearby shepherds and told them how to find the Savior…“And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, laying in a manger.” Luke 2:12.

When they arrived, they told Mary and Joseph all that the angel told them and then…“Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19.

I would have been in tears. People didn’t go around having babies in barn stalls, with dirt and animals and germs. Mary kept it together and just waited for God. But God had a purpose, our Savior was made lowly to serve us.

The beginning of His life in a smelly stable, the end of His life hanging on a cross.