Luke 2:6-7
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Have you ever been with a woman when she realizes the moment has come and not only is she in labor but the baby is coming and there is no turning back?
It is a moment full of tension and excitement. I can picture Mary looking at Joesph in the eyes and saying “It’s time. The baby is coming.” I can hear the urgency in her voice and see the intensity in her eyes as she focuses on her breath through each wave. Her body is opening as she births the hope of the world.
When we envision the birth of Jesus it is often full of picture perfect images. Mary and Joesph lovingly looking down at a perfectly clean Jesus. All the animals cuddled in close calmly looking up at the family of three. There is no blood or sweat on anyone.
It’s funny how we often imagine these perfectly manicured pictures and then wonder why we are disappointed when we don’t have a perfectly manicured Christmas. Life is not perfectly manicured. Joy and sorrow are often sharing space together in our lives.
This year let’s step back from picture perfect and reflect on the birth of Jesus in a realistic way. The birth of the hope of the world did not take place in a hospital, a beautiful birth center, or even a cozy home. No it took place in a manger full of animals. Joesph was likely Mary’s main support, and we don’t even know if the town midwife was there.
But there in a manger the Savior of the world was born just like each one of us. By the sweat of his mothers brow He made his way into the world and then onto her chest. Both Jesus and Mary were full of awe and wonder and physical exhaustion from the journey.
The veil between heaven and earth is thin in the birth room. You can feel it. You are witnessing a miracle. A little piece of heaven on earth. It also reminds you how fragile life is. How we aren’t supposed to walk this journey alone. How just when you think you have nothing left somewhere deep down inside of you there is a God given strength to press on.
So tomorrow when you are spending time with family remember picture perfect isn’t what makes it beautiful. Life is messy, hard and complicated. It’s also full of grace and beauty. So be still and soak it all in.
In the darkest night Jesus light shines the brightest and he has chosen you to shine that light in the middle of the mess.
“Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong”
-Breathe of Heaven
