Pausing on Christmas Eve

Each year the Nativity story is depicted in such pretty and perfect terms, almost a sterile manger scene of sorts. I'm sure you know the story well.

I pause to think, how could that be? Wasn't the world harsh and cold? And wasn't a meager stable a place where farm animals ate and slept...a small shelter from the cold and the harsh night beyond?

In the darkness and cold the glow of a light brings much more brilliance than when it is shining in the warmth of sunshine.
Did Mary talk to the animals? Did she ask them to move over? Or did they scurry to make room for her as they heard her cries of anguish. She was probably just looking for a place to lay her head, a place to lie down, to pause and take deep breaths as she pondered the magnitude of the labor to come.
Did the animals come close to bring her warmth? And did the sheep offer his side for a pillow? I don't know!

I do know that the world is harsh and cold.
I do know sometimes our shelter may feel like a meager refuge from the harsh night beyond.
I do know life can be hard and filled with pain and anguish.

And so for all of this we need a Savior...a Light shining brilliantly to bring hope!

On Christmas Eve I pause and ponder...HOPE!
Love, Rachel