2006
A Stable Sign
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by Garold Andersen
"When Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, she wrapped him in
cloth and laid him in a manger, as there was no room in the inn.
(The angel said to the shepherds,) 'This will be a sign for you: you
will find the child wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.'" (Luke 2:7&12)
As a child, my first impression of the nativity scene was simple: a cozy image of Christmas. When I later understood that Jesus was born in a stable because his parents had been turned away from the inn, it made me angry. I despised the innkeeper for his lack of compassion. Then I thought, "Wait a minute; perhaps someone else was to blame. Maybe Joseph hadn't planned the trip well or Mary, fearing the journey, had drug her feet, or it could have been the Roman officials who had not given them enough time to plan for the journey." In the end I was missing the point. Instead of seeing the amazing work of God I was searching for someone to blame.
As crazy as it seems, God was to blame. God had planned to have His Son, the Messiah, born in that stable. This was a well-orchestrated sign for a few poor shepherds: "This will be how you can identify the Messiah, he was born today in Bethlehem … in a stable." Every time I read that section of Luke I'm in awe that God created a sign that was so significant for those simple shepherds, but that's the heart of God. He is the same today. Then, the sign was a baby in a stable; now, it is His Son in the lives of simple humans - even as they go through difficult times.
In truth, few people look for God when they are at the top of their game, but when they are in great need they fear that He would never come so low to be found. It is then that He says, "I've got a sign for you" and out of the dark situations of our lives He creates a significant sign for them. I'm not saying that difficult situations are sent by God, but God desires to use our lives, especially in the midst of dark times, as signs that the Messiah is alive. So, when the doors of good fortune shut in your face and life seems to have no room for you, don't look for someone to blame - look to God. And let the world see the significant sign that He will create out of that 'dark stable' in your life.
This Week
Are you experiencing any difficulty this holiday season? Ask the Lord to show you His presence, even in the most difficult times.
Prayer
"Father, thank You for revealing Your Son to me. As Joseph and Mary trusted You, help me to trust that You can use my life, especially in difficult times, as a significant sign to the world. Through my life reveal the Light of the world. I can't imagine how You can do that, but I ask that You would. May Your Son, the reality of Christmas, always be seen in me."
Garold Andersen is a missionary that uses the arts to reach people in many places throughout the world. His writing can be perused at www.cafesophia.org
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