December 22

“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”  Luke 2:4-7  NLT

I think I wore him out. I started my Christmas vacation today, a stay-at-home day. For Famous, who is used to napping while I am gone, it was non-stop. After our morning walk, we were in and out of the house doing chores. (I did the chores while Famous supervised.) Then it was time for his grooming while taking advantage of a warm December afternoon. I must say, he was extra good, sitting and turning as I worked him over from head to tail. Next, we took a two-mile walk with Famous taking the lead.

We were just getting started. Late afternoon kept us outside while I planted another one hundred and fifty bulbs for the spring garden. (Again, Famous did an excellent job supervising and barking at crows whenever they would get too noisy.) Finally, I was ready for one last task, and I had purposely waited until the end of the day when I knew Famous would be exhausted. It was bath time.

Mary and Joseph would have both been completely spent at the hour of Christ’s birth. Joseph had navigated their long journey, found shelter when there was none, and tended to Mary’s needs during her labor. And Mary. Mary could not even enjoy the fact she was no longer moving. Her body was breaking, and she would ultimately have to endure childbirth. These are the exhausted parents who were the first people to meet the Messiah.

God often comes to us when we are most vulnerable. The security we find in possessions, power, and talent is a false security. The confidence in what we have built or accomplished with our lives can easily be taken from us. When all of that is stripped away, when we are no longer able to brag about what we have done with our lives, then God is able to show us what He can do through us.

Lord, lead me to my manger where I can be re-born.