OUR TRIP TO THE STABLE

I believe I let you in on a little secret about our Christmas Bible reading this year--that we were doing it in the barn.

Some of you have asked about, so I thought I'd share...

We bundled up head to toe.  The temperatures were dropping as the Blizzard of 2012 was encroaching on our little town.  We donned warm socks, coveralls, hats, gloves and scarves.  It took us a good 15 minutes to gather and get into all the winter clothes. 

And I thought:  if only every time I went about getting into the Word I would so prepare.

We trudged through the dark to the horse barn.  Careful footing.  Uneven ground.  I was wearing Dale's hunting boots and they were not my size.  We used flashlights.  We walked single file.  The ground was frozen and unforgiving to ankles.  The wind was beginning to howl and the cold touched all areas exposed.  

And I thought:  Mary and Joseph's journey was not one of comfort and convenience.  Their visit to the stable was under less than ideal circumstances.  Jesus' delivery lacked modern conveniences that I so easily take for granted. 

We found a spot in the barn where the hay was deep and clean.  We fumbled with our gloved-hands until we found Luke 2.  We each read a portion of the Nativity by the light of our 'candles'.  The three of us stood quietly for a few minutes and listened to the night sounds.

And I thought:  I don't believe I've ever been so deeply impacted by the account of Christmas as I was in that stable.  The goats were pushing up against us, hoping we'd brought them snacks.  The barn cat curled up on the hay beside us and watched as we stood in the dark barn.  The chickens we could hear in the background.  Was it a glimpse into that night?  Where those the sounds and sights the Christ Child first laid eyes on?  Did Mary and Joseph look into His eyes by lamplight for the first time and become transformed?

The Christmas story won't be the same for me anymore.