In a stable, really?

So I just spent the last 20 minutes in our chicken coop, rigging up a brooding lamp (heat lamp for baby chicks) over the water bowls to keep it from freezing. We also set the goats up in there to keep them warm. As I am standing in there, among the 19 chickens and 2 goats (baby is inside until after her lunch), while the wind is blowing about about 30 mph and sleet is raining down I imagined that this is probably what Mary had to deliver Jesus in. A small, drafty stable. Not these sweet stables that we see in our nativity scenes. They probably didn't use hay, it was probably straw (the stick-y stuff, not the soft stuff the animals eat) or just dirt. I don't know what all animals they kept, but I can tell you that we have relatively small livestock and it STUNK. In fact, chicken coops are required to have ventilation due to the horrible stench of their own poop. And I can tell you that goat poop is no picnic either. And being that the innkeeper was so busy during the census, my guess is that he hadn't really swept out the stables in a while, so whatever the flooring was, I'm sure it had a nice helping of manure on top. And the manger? Again, just speculation, but my animals won't leave the hay alone. They're either trying to nest in it or eat it. I can just imagine the animals trying to eat the hay out from underneath Jesus.

Jesus, King and Savior to all the world is having to fight for a place to sleep because he's literally sleeping on top of the dinner for these animals. Now we romanticize it and forget that Mary went through traditional labor, and no help is mentioned, although if she was available, I'm sure the inn keeper's wife managed to bring out some towels and water for the new mom. Now, being that I am keenly aware of what happens at the end of any pregnancy, I didn't look forward to any kind of labor, but can't imagine going through labor in a poopy, stinky barn. And yet this is how our Savior came to us. About as least expected as they come. Sent to the barn to give birth like any other livestock, no wonder many leaders of the day didn't believe that he was the Messiah.

Today I thank God for showing me the true simplicity of Christmas. Just a baby, born in a drafty, stinky barn, treated as livestock by those around him, until the ordinary (shepherds) and extraordinary (wise men) came and recognized that he was our Prince of Peace. I pray that you recognize the Prince of Peace, Almighty God, Savior of the World this Christmas season. I pray that you cherish the simplicity of that baby born in a barn and the simplicity of Salvation.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Packard's