Hammer on Anvil '

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7, ESV).

The birth of Jesus was not as we might romanticize it to be. It was not a clean, cozy, warm room in a birthing center, where nurses attended Mary. It was far from being what hospitals call a sterile environment. On the contrary, the birth of our Savior took place in a barn which no doubt reeked of the dung and urine of the various animals that resided there. Since no Pack-N-Play was available, Mary laid her newborn son in a feeding trough.

Imagine that. God incarnate, choosing as His birthplace a foul-smelling building used to house cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep. As I meditated on this wondrous truth, the thought occurred to me, How can you NOT believe this marvelous story? Think about it. What other religion would enthrone their king in a feeding trough? The pharaohs of ancient Egypt, for example, were no doubt born with pomp and circumstance, with a dozen nursemaids attending to the mother's every need. If anything happened to the baby, the person responsible would likely have been executed.

Jesus was born in the same way He lived His entire life -- in humility. Instead of people of nobility being in attendance, Jesus was surrounded by shepherds, who were considered the dregs of society. The outcast and the marginalized were always His favorites; the pious and religious were the ones He shunned.

As you gather with loved ones this week, take time to stop and meditate about the wonder of Jesus' birth. And that He came for YOU. He came for me. He came for all those who will humble themselves and call on His Name.

Have a blessed, joyous Christmas.