Thoughts at Christmas
One of the nice things about growing older is developing a keen awareness and greater appreciation for historical fact.
Like most people, I grew up celebrating Christmas with what I call the 'Madison Avenue' version of the manger scene. You know the scene well; a well-lighted stable with lots of fresh straw and a variety of healthy looking animals nearby, and people standing around smiling in their colorful unsoiled clothing. And the wise men—well we know the truth about the wise men being at the manger scene.
I doubt that the popular version of the manger scene was what the birthplace really looked like. And, I’m sure the scene didn’t smell like peppermint.
What if we could duplicate the real scene on that holy night?
Let’s see, first we’d need to turn down the light—to maybe one little candle or oil lamp illuminating the darkness. We’d need some cobwebs and urine-soaked dirt and straw, and plenty of manure covering the ground.
And the feed trough—the feed trough that we euphemistically refer to as "the manger", would need to be well-worn from being rubbed and slobbered over by hungry animals... Maybe a few rats or mice running around... If you grew up on a farm, you get the picture.
I’m saying this, not to detract from the beauty of the event, but to emphasize the beauty of an event so profound and glorious that only reality and truth does it justice.
In 2004, David Sisler, in Agape Press, wrote of his vision of that night:
"Push!" Joseph urged.
"The Messiah. Christ the Lord. Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior."
"Push!"
That night an angel chorus sang to shepherds, but their notes were drowned out by the screams of a young woman, a little girl, a baby who was having a baby.
The Savior of the world? God's Son?
"Come on, Mary. I can see the head. Just one more push!"
And somewhere in the darkness, Joseph held his son -- God's Son, God in human flesh -- by the heels and swatted the baby's backside and Jesus communicated with sinful mankind for the first time. The fluid cleared from His lungs and the coda to the angel's chorus was a healthy wail. Then Mary cleaned her bloody son -- for the first time -- and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.
Thirty-three years later, another Joseph, Joseph of Aramathea, cleaned off the bloody body of Mary's son, God's Son, God in human flesh -- for the last time -- wrapped Him in burial clothes and laid Him in a tomb.
But death could hold Him for only three days because He really was, really is, the Savior who is Christ, the Lord!
He is Christmas. He is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!
God's word became flesh and nine months later, on that holy night, from that humble scene, appeared a Savior who died for our sins.
Thank you Lord Jesus!
/fl