Month: December 2019

Not So Simple

Memes and wise poetic sayings are all over social media. I came across one the other day that made me think. I agreed with the sentiment behind it. But upon deeper thought, I disagreed with what it said.

I’m fairly sure Mary and Joseph would disagree with the “simpleness” of that day. Mary was a teenager very pregnant with her first child. Though it is likely that she had assisted in births, she had never actually given birth herself. She didn’t have any women with her and probably felt very alone. Who helped her? Was it just Joseph? I’m fairly certain Joseph had never helped birth any babies before . . . animals maybe. But no actual human babies! As she was writhing in pain, how did she make sure to do all the things she needed to do to prevent infection? Hot water? Clean cloths? And what about a knife to cut the umbilical cord? She was in a barn with animals. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it felt anything but simple.

“She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was full.”

And let’s talk about the shepherds minding their business in the fields. All the sudden the angels of the Lord’s army appear to them. As we read the story today, we imagine beautiful angelic beings floating around. We sigh and imagine how amazing that must have been. Now, let’s imagine the reality. Let’s put ourselves in the sandals of those men and think about what their actual reaction was. Terror . . . it was terror. This is the Lord’s Army. What did they look like? What did they sound like? I’m pretty sure they didn’t look like wispy fairies floating around. They are warriors. God’s warriors. No. This was not an ordinary night on the job.

“Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying ‘Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.'”

Next up . . . the wise men. Getting ready for a trip can be hectic. Getting ready for a trip that has no exact destination or foreseeable end would be impossible. That is what these men faced as the star appeared to them. The trip would take months maybe years. They would need money. They would need food. They would need reliable transportation. And most importantly they would need gifts fit for THE KING! The ONE who would save Israel. The one who would save all of mankind.

“‘Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.'”

Last but not least our Heavenly Father. The all-powerful God who sent His son to sinful Earth as a sacrifice. How did He feel giving Jesus up knowing how it would all end? I know that He had a plan. I know that it all was for our ultimate good. But I also know that our God is compassionate and loving and merciful. And the fact that His essence was about to have to experience pain and death could not have been easy. Only a Holy God could have let go and looked to the greater good. Was it a simple day for Almighty God? I just don’t think so.

“About three o’clock Jesus cried out loudly, ‘Ili, Ili, lema sabachthani?’ This means ‘My God, my God, why have you left me alone?'”

So, even though I understand the sentiment behind the above meme, I do not agree with it. This day was the day of all days. The only day greater than this one throughout all of time is the day when that baby turned man would defeat death, rise from the grave, and save humanity. Praise be to God! Easter is coming!

“Suddenly, Jesus was there in front of them. He said, ‘Hello!’ The women went to him and, holding on to his feet, worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Go tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.'”