I watched The Christ Child video the other day. Mary’s eyes silently plead with her husband to find a proper place in that busy little town for her to give birth to her baby, but there was no room for them.
That is a well known part of the story, that there was no room for them. Growing up, and knowing that story, I always had the idea that people were mean and unkind to Jesus, Joseph and Mary because they wouldn’t let them stay at the residence. However, it that wasn’t the case. There simply wasn’t any room for them, not a matter of emotion, but a matter of logistics.
Joseph led Mary to the only private place they could find to bring our Savior into this world, a humble stable. Whether or not this was the ideal place for the Savior’s birth, it was going to happen then and there and Mary and Joseph had to accept their circumstances. They did, knowing still that this little child was one of Godliness and of critical significance; they accepted it, did what they could, and simply moved forward in their humble circumstances. Mary was really sweet and humble, knowing all along that the special child she was raising was from God. Did He need the best house? Didn’t He deserve that? Did He need the best clothes? The best food? The most luxurious living conditions and experiences? Didn’t God’s Son deserve these things? Mary and Joseph simply moved forward in faith, simply doing what they could.
This inspires me in a couple of different ways. One, as a parent. I am constantly trying to do and give what is best for and to my children. It isn’t always the best, but it is what I can give. Mary and Joseph are great examples of that. They raised the Savior and gave Him the best they could even though it wasn’t the best possible, and it was enough. As parents, we need to remember that as we keep our focus on the Lord’s Kingdom and do the best we can, His grace will make up the rest. Included in that are the gaps that exist within ourselves and our own lives and those we cause or can’t fix within our children. His grace paves the way.
Second, I love that Mary and Joseph just did what they could in their sufferings and moved forward. Our world is suffering right now in the pandemic, all of us. Sometimes it is hard to see or recognize as we pluck along and roll with it, but we are suffering just the same in ways we cannot control or fix. We have to just do what we can, find joy, happiness and gratitude along the way and keep moving forward in our sufferings like Mary and Joseph did. This is out of our hands, just as the Christ Child’s birth was for His earthly parents. All we can do is go forward in faith and humility.
Forever grateful for The Spirit of Christmas and the many precious learning moments wrapped within it.
