Still thinking about Mary and Joseph.
The time was drawing near for her to deliver and as they entered Bethlehem.
I would imagine Joseph felt the intense pressure to not only get settled
but to get Mary comfortable where she could rest.
Those of us who have every carried a baby knows how uncomfortable one can get in the last few days before delivering.
Joseph came into town and found the first inn he could see and tried to get a room.
Remember this is the time of the census so there were many people and very few rooms available.
Knocking on the door I can just hear and see Joseph pleading his case
to the one who answered the door.
And I can also imagine his disappointment when hearing perhaps more than once.
There is no room.
We are told that finally one of them seeing Joseph’s frustration and seeing Mary uncomfortable on the donkey said ‘I have no room but you can rest in my barn.’
Luke 2:
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and the line of David.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available to them.
The cloths were from what I wonder.
Did Joseph tear part of his ‘robe’ to make a warm ‘blanket for the baby’?
They didn’t have warm sleepers and nice soft diapers.
They didn’t have comfortable furniture to rest and relax in.
This was a barn.
Have you ever been in a barn where animals are kept outside?
It has shelter but not a lot of warmth.
Definitely not a clean baby nursery with stuffed animals and beautiful wall paper.
This was a barn.
A stable where animals were kept along with the smells of hay and other assorted smells.
This was a barn where Jesus was born.
This was a manger where he laid to rest.
This was a very different beginning to the life of a Lord.
I have so many thoughts about Mary and Joseph and their journey.
This was a barn where God changed lives.
Humble. Simple. Rustic.
A barn where the story continues.
Thanks bringing me right there into the moment, Sharon. I so appreciate your presence at #HearItUseIt – thank you for linking up. And a blessed Christmas to you and your loved ones, friend.