The Savior's Manger

Last year around this time, I wrote about how amazing I find it that Jesus came down from heaven to be born as a baby.     How absolutely unfathomable it is to me, that the King of the universe CHOSE, not to just come down and live as a human among us, spend His life serving those who hated Him, and die a horrible death to save us, but that He came as an unborn child.   It literally blows my mind to think of Jesus, the Son of God, choosing to be carried for 9 months in a womb, born, and have to grow from a baby into a man, diaper changes and runny noses and everything.   It has given me a whole new perspective on the depth and enormity of His sacrifice.    But then this year as I thought about all of this again, I starting thinking about Mary.    Maybe it's because I am 18 weeks pregnant myself, but I cannot even imagine what it must have been like for her.     Young, scared, pregnant with the Son of God (talk about crazy!) and having to travel, in labor, on a donkey.   I think it can be really easy to read the stories in scripture, and without meaning to, romanticize them a bit.  The way we might an old memory where we forget all of the unpleasantness and only think about the good moments.    But just think about this for a moment.   Really think about it.   You’re a teenager, no parents or relatives anywhere near, traveling with your husband, sitting on a donkey in excruciating pain...no drugs, knowing that you would soon be giving birth to the child you were told was the Son of God, scared half to death.   You arrive at our destination only to be told that you can't even have a regular bed, in a regular room, with bedding and walls, and privacy.....so you have to give birth, with no assistance, in a barn, sitting on hay and who knows what else, surrounded by smelly, loud, dirty creatures, and all of their filth, no soap, no nurses, no blankets or sheets, or anything to even cut the umbilical cord with.    And while I would like to think that maybe God gave her some extra grace considering the circumstances, He really didn't roll out the red carpet for Jesus's entrance at all.    And this is what amazes me about our Savior.     As if His life and death and resurrection weren’t enough.     He came as an unborn child.   To be born in quite possible the worst circumstances a pregnant woman could possibly dream up for giving birth in, and spent the first few hours of His life, surrounded by animals, and smells, in the most unglamorous environment.     God could have provided a room, He could have given His son a little more flash and cleanliness, He could have poured out His provision and made every accommodation to make sure His son had everything He needed from the moment He was born for His comfort and happiness.   Instead, He allowed the humblest beginning.    As I to indicate from the start, the course of His life lived in humility.   This Christmas, I will worship Him with a little more gratitude than normal.   Because while I look at my nativity as a charming addition to my piano decorations, the truth is....it was the humble beginning of a humble King, who came to serve and love and give His life.   And didn't even for a moment, even before He took His first breath as a newborn, stray from the humble heart He came to show the world.     My what a King we serve.   I am so thankful this season for my Savior.