She waited patiently while her husband walked to the next door and knocked. She watched the man who answered shake his head and then saw her husband walk back to her with his face, a mixture of concern and fear. He gently tugged on the reins to pull the donkey forward, and they moved slowly toward the final home in the area. Mary’s body began to ache, and the pain washed over her with a greater intensity this time, and she breathed slowly and prayed. Joseph held her hand and gently lowered her to the ground to give her a moment to recover. The contractions were getting closer together, and time was not on their side. When Mary had gathered herself, Joseph stood and told her to wait while he checked with the last innkeeper about a room. This time, she insisted that she go too, and he didn’t argue. Mary hobbled beside her husband and tried to ignore the pain that was beginning to rise again.
Seconds seemed like minutes as the pain racked her body. Mary could not make it any further, so Joseph lowered her to sit again as he approached the house, where he was rejected once more. Every room in town was taken. The innkeeper was about to close the door when he saw Mary. He called Joseph back and motioned toward the only solution he could provide: a stable. Inside was warm and dry, but the smell was overwhelming. Manure, animals, and hay all mixed together in an air that was swirling with fur and bits of dust. Mary was too tired and in too much pain to argue. Even a small corner of this filthy building was better than being out in the open.
Joseph lit a small lantern and then moved some fresh hay into one corner and laid a blanket down for Mary. Within a short time, Jesus was born. Joseph helped Mary swaddle the new child and looked around desperately for somewhere to let him sleep. His wife needed rest too. The only suitable place for a child was a roughly hewn piece of wood where the animals were fed, so he pulled it over and wiped it clean, then placed some fresh hay inside to make a soft bed. He gently lifted the small baby and laid him in this manger and then sat beside his exhausted wife and prayed a prayer of thanks.
Today, we put out a manger scene and admire the beauty of Mary and Joseph as well as angels and wise men looking down at Jesus. Our nativity sets are polished and pretty, but the reality was much more crude, dark, and dirty. The One who would save us all entered this world in poverty, lived a life with few possessions, and then died in humility and shame. His first experience was to be laid on a rough piece of wood, which would be repeated on the cross over thirty years later. He was never concerned about what He had but what He wanted to give. In the spirit of our Savior, I hope that you give freely and seek nothing in return. He came to set us free, and He did.
