And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:8-12)
At the retirement village where I work, there are all levels of care. I’m honored to know a selfless man who keeps his brother out of long term care by sharing his apartment with him, accompanying him to the bathroom several times each night. His wife lives in long-term care, but he never misses feeding her a meal even though she doesn’t recognize him. God has a special place in His heart for caregivers.
God sent an angel of the Lord to bless the faithful, the humble, and now caregivers. All night these shepherds kept watch over their flock, too many to keep in indoor caves, so they lived in fields near Bethlehem. The angel of the Lord that appeared was accompanied by God. God’s glory comes with blinding light, and the shepherds feared and trembled. As always, God’s angel says, “Do not be afraid.” The angel tells the shepherds that their Savior has been born to them, to all of us, not exclusively to Mary and Joseph. We are the Savior’s mothers, brothers, and sisters. The angel tells them where to find Jesus because no one would look for the King of Kings in an animal trough. God’s wisdom is the least is the greatest (Luke 9:49), and the meek shall inherit the Earth (Matthew 5:5). It is a sign that: Down in a lowly manger, the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Go Tell it On the Mountain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CGSB8HzdpA
Why was Jesus born in a manger, because that is where God wanted his son to be born. He was a King but was born in the most humble of circumstances. God meant it to happen that way. He could have been born in a castle but God wants all of us to be humble and I feel that he confirms that because of the place that Jesus was born. When I think of the birth of Jesus in a manger, it takes me back to my Victoria’s horse and stable. I think about the smells, the beauty of the love shared there, the quiet times and the fun times. I wonder if Mary and Joseph smelled the same smells of the barn, and of course they shared the love of their Son being born. They knew that it was like no other birth. It was a quiet time for them, before the shepherds and the wise men came. I wonder what Mary and Joseph talked about?
Thanks for sharing that. I am sure the smell of a barn is special to Joseph and Mary as it is to you. Someone not so humble may not like the smell.