All is Neither Calm, nor Bright

A couple of weeks ago we went through all of the gyrations needed to uncover our Christmas decorations and start getting ready for the season.  As my husband pulled out the boxes from their hiding place I started feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I really didn't have time to decorate this year.  Our kids are teenagers. They probably wouldn't have squawked too much if I'd put up a Charlie Brown tree but I know how much it means to have the house ready for this special season so I determined to go ahead and put some things up- but not go full tilt like I do with many things in my life.  So, one evening we set up the pre-lit tree (all 1200 bulbs finally conked out this year) and a few of my nativity scenes I've collected over the years.   My husband buys them for me when he travels abroad and I buy ones I think are pretty or unique. One of my favorites is a little manger scene inside a coconut.


As I unpacked our biggest scene this year I realized that baby Jesus was nowhere to be found.  Wherever he was, Joseph was also there because Joe was missing in action as well.  We went ahead and put the scene up because it is a pretty one.  Over the past few weeks we've been carrying on a family joke as the kids mix and match baby Jesus in the various manger scenes so He's not always missing from the same one.

  Last  night I came home and looked at them on my sideboy near our dining room table, each of them depicting a scene of peaceful bliss as shepherds, wisemen, cattle, sheep, Mary and Joseph look lovingly towards the manger.  Those scenes are kind of unrealistic.  In fact, I bet He gets a little chuckle out of them sometimes.

Jesus was born in a stinky stable in a messy world.  Mary and Joseph were far from relaxed as they tended to Him in that barn.  Life must have seemed out of control to them.  God had reassured Joseph and Mary separately that He had a plan and that they were a part of it.  Mary's son was to be the long awaited Messiah.  They knew in their hearts that He loved them and that He was more powerful than their circumstances.  But it didn't change the fact that they were on an emotional rollercoaster and that much of what they were experiencing was confusing, uncomfortable and difficult.  Nevertheless, it was true.  God was on His throne and they were squarely in the middle of His will.

I can relate to the raw emotion of the first Christmas right now.  Everything is not all calm and bright these days and yet I know that He still reigns.  Thank you, Lord for being Immanuel, God with us!  Thank you that you know what it is like to be a frail human.  Thank you for giving me hope through your son, Jesus.  That little baby in the manger-  my Savior and the reason for the season.   Help me keep my eyes on You.