- About time - you know that December is a very conventional time...
- So about the place - it's a matter of that little Bethlehem- stable, about which we are so sentimentale and moved, that - o, my God! - He had to be born in a stable?!(or something like that), that "there was no place for them in the inn" ... Well, it was not. And that was supposed to be that "it was not." And very well that it was not. So God didn't know where is the best, healthiest place for the birth of His Son? Had He better, you think, be born in that crowded, noisy, stinky of booze, tobacco and not quite wasched bodies of travelers inn, possibly full of coughing, snotty and screaming children, as well ? They rather didn't dispose luxury apartments with private bathrooms. Imagine a place like that to give birth to a child - horror! Thanks God, He did not allow it! He protected Mary and Josef giving them more privacy for so intimate situation.
But there were angels and shepherds - the most worthy ones to represent two so different worlds (what a meeting!) - the first messengers of the Good News!
There is another reason yet that Mary didn't bear Jesus in the inn. It had to be an extraordinary place. The inn manger, where the shepherds had to find the baby, was mantioned by God as the sign for them to recognise for sure the RIGHT ONE - the newly born King, the Messiah. And they were very hurry to reach the place. And it is obviouse, they didn't drove floks of sheep with themselves(!).
In the place there could be some travelers animals, like horses, donkeys ...
And there were stars, and fresh air (it certainly was not winter, and no snow!), and open space ... This is the correct setting!
So, in this amazing Christmas time I want to be amazed again by the wisdom of God and His generosity towards us - His grace. God is AMAZING! "Our God is an AWESOME GOD" - as we sing, and only to Him this term should belong.
I want to wish all of us that it truly will take our breath away and like those shepherds - just for a while - stand up with fear, and awe and joy! (Łuk.2.6-20)
Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to men,
in whom His favour rests"(Łuk.2.14)
With the best wishes of blessing - also for New Year 2011 - from this AWESOME God who became flesh - in His time and place (!), and made his dwelling among us. (Jan.1.14)
Immanuel - God with us! May His fever really rest in us!
Krystyna and Åsmund
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