The Stable

A couple Christmases ago, I heard an amazing sermon that has stuck with me ever since. The pastor preached about the shepherds that found baby Jesus in the stable. They probably expected to find the long-awaited King of the Jews in a palace or somewhere grand. However, they found Him in a dirty, smelly, and obscure stable.

The shepherds probably couldn't believe that something so incredible and majestic could have come from an animals' stable. We see this sentiment carried throughout Jesus’ life when others decades later questioned what good could come out of His hometown of Nazareth (see John 1:46).

Yet, look at the beautiful wonder that came out of such a hidden place: the King of Kings. Look at the marvellous love displayed in such a dirty stable meant for animals. Look at our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Whatever you may be going through this Christmas, always remember that Jesus is always with you, even in the dirty or hidden parts of life. He is the God of the valleys as well as the mountaintops. He is well acquainted with such places and will never shy away from the messy parts of your life.

God never wastes a trial because He uses it for your good and His glory. In fact, there are some lessons that can only be truly learned through difficulties. So, whenever you go through a trial, look for the good that will come out of it. I guarantee you will find many expressions of God’s goodness, love, and faithfulness the closer you look.

Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Someone Who is despised and rejected by the ones He came to save and redeem. Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (NKJV).

Our Lord is not someone who doesn’t know how we feel. He isn’t some distant god who doesn’t care about what we go through, nor is He a statue or idol who cannot feel or understand anything at all. Our heavenly Father is a loving God Who longs to have fellowship with us, not just when our lives are all put-together, but also when they are a crazy, painful mess. He longs to carry your burdens and worries for you, to give you His peace, and to be by your side at all times. As He promises in Hebrews 13:5, He will never leave you nor forsake you.

This Christmas, it may feel as though your life is a lot like that stable Jesus was born in 2,000 years ago – messy and unworthy of the presence of the King. But just as there was hope and redemption born there all those centuries ago, it can be born in your life today if you accept Christ into your life, no matter how chaotic and imperfect it is.

Will you let Him in?

Let’s do it together.

-Olivia

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