While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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 for them. (Luke 2:6-7)
Every Christmas Eve, Christians rush to Christmas Eve service because, if late, they might be split from their families or not have a seat. Imagine Mary and Joseph rushing as fast as Mary could travel that first Christmas Eve, hoping to spend time with Zechariah and Elizabeth. But they were too late, there was no guest room available. They stayed in a room meant to house animals.
Dr. Nelson L. Price www.nelsonprice.com states the mountains surrounding Bethlehem are porous, providing many small caves like holes in a sponge. Families lived in caves and the outer or underneath portions of the caves housed animals. When Mary gave birth, women from her family would have assisted her in one of these caves. They wouldn’t have been so heartless to send Mary alone to an outside barn or field.
A great miracle occurred. God became man, not in a castle, but in humble surroundings. Even though Jesus was placed in a hard trough, meant to house animal food, Jesus didn’t cry. Even as a newborn, He was content in uncomfortable situations, bringing us tidings of comfort and joy.
God rest ye merry gentlemen (and women). Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy. Listen to this Christmas song by Pentatonix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku7ohU1IGls
Yes, we can be content in uncomfortable situations. It is all in the attitude. Jesus started his life in such humble circumstances. It makes me feel guilty for complaining about things when they were not quite right for me. We make a lot of choices and one of them is how we will behave in difficult situations. I can think of times that I was proud of myself for handling something well. I can think of times that I did not handle something well and felt like a total failure. I guess that is where we try to do better the next time.
Yes, we have all been in uncomfortable situations and complain. Sometimes we don’t know what to do. Just this morning Sam and I went out for breakfast at a local joint and the only table left was a table for 6. Another single lady came in and sat at our table. What do you do? Make conversation or not make conversation.