Purple, Purple, Pink, Purple
Luke 2 is probably the most used version of the Christmas story. You have this poetic language about the harrowing journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem of Mary and Joseph. You have a sweet image of a child being born in a manger and wrapped in cloth. You also have the shepherds that follow angels’ voices to find this dear child, the Messiah.
We’ve all heard this story an infinite number of times. Even if you have never stepped foot in a church, you have heard this account.
“because there was no place for them in the inn,” the story tells us. The Savior of the universe was born in a stable. He was born surrounded by animals and all the smells that are associated with them. We often make the nativity scene into a peaceful, tranquil place; however, if you have spent any time in a barn full of animals, you know it can be anything but that. Yet, I think there is beauty in the chaos and dirt of Christ’s birth. He was not born in a place of wealth and pride. He was born in a place of humility. He was born in a place that none of us would choose for our children to be born in. It was not what you would expect for a King, but Jesus is King nonetheless. Not in the earthly understanding of what a King does and rules over, but in the spiritual understanding of being the King of our Hearts.
It is important to remember Jesus did not come to solve our earthly problems. Jesus came to save our souls. He came to give us a home in him beyond the bounds of our pain and suffering, and he came to us as a child born in a stable surrounded by animals. When you look at your nativity scene at home, or if you see one at church on the side of the road, understand that child being surrounded and looked upon is the one and the place that our hearts long for and belong to. The one who came for you and for me.
“A Child in a foul stable,
Where the beasts feed and foam;
Only where He was homeless
Are you and I at home.”
From “The House of Christmas” by GK Chesterton