Weary hooves clopped on
cobblestones. With each step, the pregnant teenager winced. Stoically, she
endured the long, miserable journey and looked forward to a comfortable bed.
Because of the decree of Caesar
Augustus, which required a census of the entire Roman world, pilgrims roamed
the overflowing streets of Bethlehem. Joseph led the donkey down narrow
passageways in search of a room. Time after time he heard the same answer,
“There is no room.”
Mary’s pleading eyes begged for a
place to rest. In desperation, Joseph accepted the offer to stay in a stable.
As he helped her down from the donkey, he lamented the unsuitable conditions.
But she gladly lay down on the bed of hay.
Odors of damp hay mingled with those of manure, but the young couple
hardly noticed.
Mary clutched her large stomach as
pain gripped her. Far from home, the young woman had only an inexperienced
young man as her midwife. But his strong, carpenter hands helped deliver the
perfect baby.
She cradled the promised child in
swaddling cloths. Tenderly she placed him in the hay filled stone trough. The
couple marveled at the fulfillment of the angels’ words. Jesus slept peacefully
in the humble stable.
Darkness settled over the rocky
hills near the village and away from the commotion of the crowds. Shepherds
watched their flocks beneath the twinkling sky.
Through the blackness, an angel
appeared. God’s glory surrounded them. The terrified men stared at the
spectacle before them. The angel spoke, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good
news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a
Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you.
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 10-12 NIV
Instantly, a blaze of light
illuminated the sky. A multitude of angels sang praises. “Glory to God in the
highest. Peace on earth. Good will to all men.”
Darkness returned after the angels
disappeared. The bewildered shepherds tried to make sense of what they had seen
and heard. Even though the incident seemed impossible, they agreed to go into
Bethlehem to search for the baby.
Sandaled feet ran over rocks.
Excited men looked in stable after stable. Then a tiny cry beckoned them.
Joseph stood guard beside his family. Only after he recognized the silent
reverence of the shepherds did he step aside for them to enter. At the sight of
the baby, each visitor knelt in awe. Before them lay the Savior the angel
promised.
With a new confidence and boldness,
the simple, uneducated men hurried to share the news of Jesus’ birth. Their
words amazed the throngs in Bethlehem. They continued praising God for all they
had seen and heard.
None of the events that night made
sense to those waiting for a king to deliver them. God used uneducated, young,
lonely, marginalized characters who listened, obeyed, and shared the good news.
He continues to use those who the
world does not recognize as important to inspire and share His story.
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