Christmas brings chaos. People rush through the shopping malls trying to buy the perfect gift on a budget. Children scream and cry because something didn’t go the way they wanted it. Relatives surprise you with a visit that they swear that they informed you. Something goes wrong with baking or cooking and burnt is now on the menu or pizza. You run out of paper just before you need to wrap the last gift. Finally, the family pet chases his ball and somehow the Christmas tree comes down.
When people look at the manger scene at Christmas, they think of peace and calm. We want that peace and clam that Mary and Joseph had. If we look closer at their account, they had a chaotic first Christmas. First, they had to go to Joseph’s hometown for the census. When they got to Bethlehem, there was no room in the inn for them, so they lodged in a stable, a barn. Jesus was born in a barn.
I questioned why they didn’t stay with relatives since Joseph came from Bethlehem. Mary’s pregnancy had everything to do with it. How was Joseph supposed to explain Mary’s pregnancy to anyone in his family? So, they lodged in a barn with sheep, cows, and horses. The scents of Christmas should be that of manure instead of pine trees. (Just kidding!)
When the shepherds came to visit Jesus, the peace came. Mary pondered everything in her heart. Then she sang “Away in the Manger” and wondered why Jesus still cried. I guess our interpretation of the first Christmas is far from the truth. Jesus came to earth fully human and fully God. His humanness made him cry because he had to communicate to his parents that he needed food or a diaper change.
At some point, the Magi came with three weird gifts. They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I know those gifts have symbolism. I also discovered that those gifts could be used for Joseph to use for money to escape to Egypt to keep Jesus alive from King Herod, who wanted to kill him and all the male babies two years old and younger. That chaos happened too.
Imagine having a baby and being warned in a dream that the leader of the country wants your baby dead. That’s not peaceful and calm. Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt until King Herod died, and then they went to Nazareth, which fulfilled scripture that the Savior would come from Nazareth. Running for your life does not have an element of peace. You have to know who to trust and who not to trust. Joseph kept Jesus alive through that chaos.
When you look at the manger scene, remember Jesus brought peace into the world, but not the peace that the world seeks. He brought us peace when he died for our sins. We have peace because we know that he sacrificed his life for us. Jesus encountered chaos throughout his ministry. He slipped away from the crowds because the religious leaders wanted to kill him before it was his time. He had to do this several times.
When life becomes chaotic, look at the manger scene. See the strength of Mary and Joseph doing whatever it took to keep Jesus alive. See the hope that Jesus brings. Encounter the peace that Jesus gives with his love and sacrifice for our sins. That can make you breathe and bring you the peace that you seek during this season.
“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:8-12; CSB)
Have a Merry Christmas with peace and joy because you know that Jesus came for you, and his sacrifice brings you the peace you need in your soul.
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