The other night as I was talking to my husband about the Christmas story, I asked him who I was missing.
I have covered all the players I think, the story is mostly over at this point.
The angels visit Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Elizabeth, the baby is born, and both shepherd’s and wise men, have come.
Mary and Joseph headed back home now that Herod is gone. The life of Jesus continues but I was not figuring out my new direction in telling this story.
He has been reading a book that I read and really enjoyed and I recommend it to you too.
Flash by Rachel Anne Ridge.
He said, “You are forgetting the donkey.” I looked at him as if to say, “what? no one talks about a donkey.”
But that is the point. In Rachel’s book she shares how wonderful Flash was, and how he came to mean so much for them as a family.
She shares the delightful character of her ‘donkey’ and the lessons learned from him.
It almost made me want to go out and find one for our yard, only we don’t have a farm.
Mary and Joseph had a donkey too. In fact, if you think about all the traveling they had to do in her fragile condition.
Without a donkey she could not have made it so far.
A simple donkey played a very important role in the Christmas story.
As they traveled over rocks and hard places, she trusted it’s strong legs and soft back.
I imagine how she held onto the hair with it tightly wrapped around her fingers, trying not to fall off with each step the donkey took.
She was able to rest and find some comfort, while riding on this ‘pack animal’ who made her trips so easy.
Amazing how God uses what we would not consider, to get a message to us, and also to tell his story.
This is not the first time God used a donkey, in the book of Numbers in the Old Testament, we find Balaam in chapter twenty two verse thirty.
Balaam had disciplined his donkey for not going in the direction he told to go, and the donkey responded to him.
[And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?”
And he said, “No”] He meaning Balaam. Now we have to stop for a second because a donkey talked and a man responded.
All things possible with God right?
I wonder what the donkey could have told us about the travel time, with Mary and Joseph. Now that would be quite the conversation!
And also remember when Jesus enters into the city as a grown man, during the triumphal entry in John twelve verses fourteen through sixteen.
[Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said,
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look your King is coming riding on a donkey’s colt”]
So we can see now that the donkey is very important to the Spirit of Christmas and the story of Jesus.
We cannot have the story without the donkey. Joseph needed the help of his ‘long time’ donkey to pack food, blankets and Mary.
One more character added to the story of Jesus. A simple donkey doing what is most natural to him.
How wonderful of God to use what we consider not usable, in the powerful story of His Son.
The next scene we move into was after the wise men left Mary and Joseph.
In the book of Matthew verse thirteen we find the angel appearing to him.
[After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
“Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said, “Stay there till I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”]
We all have had ‘dreams’ that were disturbing but this one for Joseph, must have been quite upsetting.
I am not sure how far Egypt was from where they were, but it could not have been an easy task especially in a hurry as the angel said to flee quickly.
It is not like they could get in a rental car and drive there. It was a journey that would take time.
And how did he explain this ‘dream’ to Mary? she had to trust him and go.
The story continues in verse fourteen.
[That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there till Herod’s death.
This was fulfilled what the Lord had spoken to the prophet: “I called my son out of Egypt.”
Herod was furious when he realized the wise men had outwitted him.
He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.
Herod’s brutal actions fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: A cry was heard in Ramah–weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.]
Ok let’s stop here. Let us think for a moment, imagine yourself in their thoughts and feelings.
Mary and Joseph were running for safety, and realizing at some point in time, what was going on in the lands.
Can you even begin to imagine the chaos, the sorrow, the intensity, and for Mary and Joseph the burden weighing down on them for all the baby boys?
As a young mom her heart had to have been moved so intensely, feeling the depth of despair for even perhaps some of her friends?
I would imagine the words spoken to her in Luke two verse thirty five: [and a sword will pierce your very soul.] played back in her mind and heart.
We have all had a deep soul hurt. An intense pain that is not even describable.
This was the beginning for Mary.
Prophecy was fulfilled at the cost of pain and agonizing grief. Also through the jealous words of a man concerned about nothing but himself.
We have to understand the birth of Jesus was not just a warm fuzzy baby in the manger time.
It was filled with many emotions and feelings, for many who played a part in this drama.
Each scene, each person, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, as the spirit of Christmas continues.
It is a story of obedience and sacrifice. A story of a savior who fulfilled prophecy in the city of Bethlehem.
The next scene we see in this story of Jesus is found in Matthew two verse one:
[Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.
About that time some wise men (royal astrologers or magi) from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw a star as it rose (or star in the east), and we have come to worship him.”
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”]
Let us pause for a moment as you can get this scene in your ‘story’.
The wise men have come to see the new baby king, Herod became worried, concerned and even jealous of his kingdom being taken by a new ruler.
A newborn king is definitely someone to be scared or afraid of, especially if you are a king who is unsure of yourself.
So in verses seven and eight, Herod set up a meeting to discuss how the wise men would go see this new baby, and then come back to let him know where he was found, so he ‘could’ go worship this little baby king too.
Now that was not a true motive, and we will find more about that out later.
In verse nine we see what takes place next:
[After this interview (the one with Herod) the wise men went their way.
And the star they had seen in the east guided them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.]
When reading this we must not forget the meaning of these gifts given to the new baby.
Gold equals money, wealth and riches. Frankincense was an aromatic gum resin used primarily in incense or religious ceremonial practices.
Myrrh is also an aromatic used for incense or perfume. It was not uncommon to use these two oils when embalming someone after death.
SO let’s think about this, these were not the usual baby ‘shower presents’ for a newborn, these had meaning and significance.
Also some believe he was not newborn when they finally found him. It could have taken them months to arrive where the baby was with Mary.
We move to the next scene, where we see in this story of Jesus, in Luke two verse thirty three a new character:
[Anna, a prophet, was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.
She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.
She came along as just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God.
She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
When Jesus parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.]
Isn’t it amazing how God uses older people? I find it both an encouraging and challenging thought.
Each one of them were beyond years of ministry yet God chose, to allow them to be a part of the story of Jesus.
Beginning with Zechariah, who was an old man, then Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna, God wanted all of them to play a part in this very special baby’s birth.
Anna was waiting for the chosen one also.
Just as Simeon was led to the temple that same day Jesus was there, Anna was nudged to go see, at that very same hour, something special for herself.
She had spent many days in this temple. But this day was different.
This day perhaps, there was an excitement, a holy ‘stirring’, the Messiah was here.
How very wonderful to include so many players and characters in this Holy story.
It is amazing to see that not only Mary and Joseph experienced this ‘miracle’ birth, but so many were also witnesses to it.
God did not allow his baby son, to be born in isolation or privacy.
He allowed this ‘Holy night’ orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, to be witnessed and proclaimed by many.
The spirit of Christmas is weaved all throughout this Christmas story.
As we continue to read and study it, we will see and remember how very special this time was for everyone.
In Luke chapter two we find another scene unfolding in the this story of Jesus.
verse 25 it says:
[At the time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon.
He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel.
The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
That day the Spirit led him to the Temple.
So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you promised.
I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to he nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel.!”
Jesus parents were amazed at what was being said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother,
“This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others.
He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
And a sword will pierce your very soul.”]
We have to understand Simeon was a very old man who waited patiently day after day, for the baby to arrive.
The spirit of Christmas over shadows this very blessed man, and he sees the chosen one.
The one who will save many including himself. The day the Spirit led him was also the day he was released to stop waiting.
The Messiah was here and Simeon could allow his life to end and die in peace.
One Word 2018 Simplify/2019 Simplify/2020 Rest, 2021/Comfort
Simplicity
Subscribe
Subscribe Here!
Get encouragement and thought delivered directly to your inbox!
You have Successfully Subscribed!
my 2017 picture
Philipians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ==================== Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Courage is not the absence of fear but it's taking action in the midst of it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure.
It's your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words. Matthew 12:34 (msg) version.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below you will find a few of my favorite websites or blogs. They have given me encouragement and challenged me on this journey.
Ann Voskamp's blog A holy Experience This image of a bleeding heart represents a journey of healing from brokenness to wholeness. Some of my favorite books: One thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Married over 46 years and entered into my 65th year of life.
I am a mother of two and grandmother of six and mom to two very spoiled kitties. I love to worship and encourage and of course write whenever I can find a topic or subject to share about.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for visiting my blog.
I hope you find it encouraging and that it gives you
'Something to think about'. The vision for this is to challenge the reader into a new and different way of thinking. I appreciate and always value your comments. Having others walk alongside and join in the sharing is part of the process.
Thank you for joining me... on this journey. As we get encouraged ~ Lord help us to encourage others. "And the day came when the risk to remain a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin my blog button The crosses are found on a beach at Winema Christian Camp on the Oregon coast.. a place to relax and find God in the process. My favorite place ....to rest and restore my spirit.
/>PLEASE DO NOT COPY ANY PART OF THIS BLOG WITHOUT ASKING PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR FIRST. Thank you click onto picture for My etsy store:
