Excuse the Delay in posting. I had anticipated the 12 days of Christmas to be finished by oh.. say.. CHRISTMAS... but I myself was caught up into the holiday Spirit of being busy and having my usual Christmas fun. I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas, and are anticipating the best year yet coming up!!
but the inspiration never ends here, So here is my Ninth story of inspiration, and it comes right from Bethlehem's Manger.
Now you may be saying, "Yes, I know the story of the manger and how tranquil and serene it was, a setting of perfect peace and harmony... "Silent Night, Holy Night, Oh little town of Bethlehem, how STILL we see thee lie.. right???"
WRONG! yes Bethlehem's Manger IS a symbol of inspiration, but NOT because it was so peaceful and tranquil. Lets look at it.
Bethlehem, at the time of the Census was a city of Chaos! everyone was in town for the Census, so much so that there was, of course no room at the Inn. Try to imagine a peaceful setting when you are trying to get your 14 or 15 year old 9 month Pregnant wife on a mule to a city in chaos because of a Census. Oh, I bet that was a joy..
It was also a scene of Obscurity... a manger?? what a manger was was actually a feed trough. a very obscure place to be born in a very obscure and chaotic city.
And of course there was the rejection. No room at the Inn, because of the chaos of Bethlehem at that time.
OK. Bethlehem's manger.. Chaos.. Obscurity.. rejection.... Why?? and why is this a scene of inspiration.
Well, because, believe it or not, this describes our lives at times, doesn't it?? who amongst us can honestly say that there is not SOME chaos in our lives this time of year?? be honest. whether it be the many Christmas parties we feel obligated to attend, or maybe the unwanted or unexpected visitor, or the chaos of last minute, or first minute shopping?? CHAOS!
then theres the feelings of obscurity. Ever feel like you as a person are lost in the shuffle?? that you will not be remembered, or your gift will find itself on someones shelf, and never be seen or used again?? do you feel the true meaning of Christmas is being overwhelmed by the commercialism?? Hey over here in Detroit (and I am sure many cities, they have people who have lived here many years ago that they named streets after. must be famous people Hmmm?? well today no one remembers them. Obscurity...
and then there is rejection. Why is the Christmas season so depressing for some?? its because of the feelings of rejection some of us feel. yes, we may be invited to lots of parties, but once those parties are over, and the celebrations stop, it is back to the old life, and if we feel rejected before, than the feelings can get worse once the season is over. Heck even when I was a kid I would get some feeling of rejection if my sister got more gifts than I did. I am sure it is not so much different today.
OK, so why is this inspiring?? well I believe that This scenario in Bethlehem, Chaos, obscurity, rejection, happened PURPOSEFULLY, so that We know that our Savior has been there, done that. So we can go to Him when we are feeling these feelings, because we hear Him saying to us from the manger... "Hey, I know your feelings of Chaos in your life. your feelings of obscurity, and rejection. I have been there. I understand!"
I believe there was no Silent Night that night. And when I am feeling feelings of Chaos, obscurity, and rejection, I am glad it wasn't. I am inspired that the Prince of Peace was BORN into those same situations.
He indeed understands.
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