Christmas Eve

Blessed Evening to you as we at the Walker home begin our celebration of Christ's birth. As I shared a week or so ago, this year has been a year of reevaluation for me. Christ's birth MUST be the focus or what is Christmas really but a time of selfishness, indulgence, and stress.


As we prepared dinner this evening Mars rose in brilliance through the night sky. Tim shared that he had read that tonight of all nights Mars will be the brightest that it has been or will be in the night sky for eight years. Tim shared with the children what he thought it must be like as a Magi, following the Bethlehem Star, just following, and following until they were led to Bethlehem. The family (minus Bekah and I) are in the other room, watching and enjoying the Nativity Story. As I watched I was impressed again what a stretch Christ's birth would have been for Mary. A young woman, unknown by any man to suddenly find that a precious life grows within her womb and that this child has a destiny that she cannot begin to comprehend. What a range of emotions she would have had to process - Awe, fear, joy..... She finds a safe haven in Joseph after God instructs him to marry her and assures Joseph that what Mary has said is indeed true. A Godly man - one who listens and obeys, one who cares for Mary and the child that is not his own.


I am again drawn to the manger but before we can find it we find Mary and Joseph in the streets of Bethlehem. Tradition says it is early evening as they enter the city. The streets were crowded and bustling. The smell of animals and sweat hang in the air amidst the wares that people are offering for sale. Vendors call out – come look, I’ll make you a good price. People shove and yell. Amidst the clamor purposefully strides a young man, leading his wife. She catches her breath as pain increases. He stops at another door and knocks. Please, Sir, a little room, just space on the floor is all I ask. My wife has been struggling for many hours. She is so tired. Please, let us come in. "No, I have no room for anymore. Move along". Disheartened and fighting off his own anger and fatigue the young man moves again down the street. He turns to his wife’s ashen face. I’m sorry Mary.............. The Lord will take care of us. Be strong. He moves through the pressing bodies to another door. Please Sir, we must find a place to stay. The man looks out the door at the young couple. His home is overcrowded. The last thing he needed was another couple to find space for. Something in his heart however cannot turn them away. He regards the young woman’s face as she bites her lip, stifling a cry of pain he knows is there; he can see the strength in her eyes. The young man so desperate to care for her; he knows that the time is short. He is willing to beg to find a place for his wife to rest. The door opens a little wider. I wish I had room but my children have already given up their beds. There is no space for you to even sit. In despair the young man turns away to continue his search. "Wait…… I do have a small stable. It is small and there are many animals being kept there but there is a stall empty still".....


As I peer through the windows of my imagination, I can see the stable -- not the beautiful simplicity we see in creches all across history. More likely a small cave in a hillside, damp, cold, and uncomfortable. It is doubtful to me that the straw was fresh and golden. The smell....... strong of manure and straw damp with urine. Restless animals as someone unfamiliar prepares for her labor. Lowing cattle, rustling feet of donkeys and mules, the bleating of goats nearby her as Mary's body contracts. She cries out as her baby crowns; the animals answer back to her as she disrupts their sleep. No midwife is present for Jesus birth. Just a young virgin woman and a husband who has never known his wife. Joseph tends her with shaking hands, Mary too preoccupied with her labor to be concerned as all intimacies are exposed and the Son of Man enters the world. His hungry, lusty cry fills the night air and his lungs stir with the tangy air of the stable. On the hills outside of the city shepherds and being heralded by an angelic choir and Gabriel announces the birth of their Savior - GLAD tidings of GREAT JOY for ALL people. Mary's moments of rest and wonder at the new life she holds is interrupted by men young and old entering the stable with sheep, bustling loudly of the song, the angels tidings, their fear and their excitement. These were not men of prestige and refinement, rather men that worked with roughened hands, strong backs, and common words. Mary has no moments of rest, no sterile nurses bringing her refreshment and warm blankets and the adrenaline starts her body to shake. The responsibility of the life she holds in her arms dawns in her eyes as these strangers clamor to look and to touch the baby just delivered from her. The first gift of Christmas was given there that night, and though I doubt it was a Silent Night it was most definitely a Holy Night as God Himself comes to offer us himself in the flesh of a baby. A defenseless, helpless, accepting, loving baby.......


Yes, Christmas is indeed a time of wonder, a time of joy, a time of awe that God loves us so much. Tim read to the kids tonight outside at a bonfire not only the Christmas story but also the scriptures from Isaiah that foretell the Messiah's coming - a coming so misunderstood...... a coming so many have forgotten, a coming that was not the end of God's work for us but rather a portent of His ultimate gift - His life ----- His life offered up for us, broken and rejected so that we could find acceptance, redemption, and wholeness.


May you be blessed this eve -- Christmas Eve -- as we celebrate the first gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ.