The Merry Christmas Characters

Merry Christmas! I know it is not quite Christmas, or maybe when you're reading this it is even after Christmas, but I wan tot look at the characters of the Christmas narrative and thin about what they went through that first Christmas.

Let's start with Mary.

Mary groaned as another contraction hit her weary body. Her and Joseph had traveled all day to get here and now they didn't even have a descent room to birth Jesus.
Mary bit her lip as she watched Joseph slowly clean out an old manger he'd found in the back of the old stable they were in. Every so often his eyes would flicker up at her and he'd try and smile. But Mary knew that look. It was his 'fake' smile. When he really smiled it lit up his eyes and-
"Oh!" Mary groaned as she rolled to her side. This wasn't how she had imagined Jesus' birth. She'd imagined her mother being there or at least a midwife. She'd imagined women singing and celebrating a new life. Would I have gotten that? she wondered as the pain lessened around her stomach. Very few of the women in the village of Nazareth even spoke to her anymore, since her baby stomach had started to show. Everyone was whispering about who the father was. Was Joseph the baby's true father? Or was Mary a whore?If only they knew! If only God would open their eyes! This is Messiah! I think even I forget that sometimes. When the angel had come to her, when he told her she would be mother of Messiah, she was shocked. She knew, of course, that it would require sacrifice. Her reputation, her family, maybe even Joseph.
Mary smiled up at him as he came over and squeezed her hand.
"Are you going to be alright?" His tired eyes studied her.
"I'll be fine, Joseph. Women have babies every day. And if God told me I would bare Messiah, Jesus, then I will bare him. Think about it. We know I'll make it through we know God is with us. He's right here." She patted her belly and then squeezed Joseph's hand hard as a stronger, more painful contraction assaulted her body.
"I think ... I need to ....push!"
~ ~ ~
Imagine being that frightened, young girl. I'm seventeen this Christmas and I can't imagine going through with being the mother of Messiah. Scholars peg Mary at being anywhere from fourteen to eighteen when she had Jesus. Think about that? Are you ready to be a parent? Are you ready to be ridiculed and scoffed at for having a baby out of wedlock? Back then it was anything but the norm. Women could be killed if found to be with child without being married. So Mary's gentle, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me according to your will," was a big deal.

But it wasn't just Mary who's life was a struggle that night. Let's look at another person who was there that night. 

Joseph. 

"He's is a little miracle, Mary." Joseph placed Jesus in Mary's arms, brushing a strand of sweaty hair away from his wife's forehead. "I can't believe he's here."
"I know." Her tired eyes glowed with joy, "Praise be to God! His salvation is here."
Joseph marveled at Mary. His wife was so strong for one so young. How had he ever thought of leaving her? Thank you, Father God. Thank you for Mary.
Joseph laid an arm around his wife and she snuggled close, her eyes slipping shut. It had been a rough labor. Not to mention the journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth. as he watched his slipping wife and the little Jesus, Joseph wondered why God had chosen him to be the earthly father of Messiah. I'm just a carpenter. I know nothing of kings. Why did you chose me to be Jesus' father. I'm humbled God, but I'm terrified I'll mess it up. Mess him up. Joseph thought back to the Angel that had told him to take Mary to be his wife. God had shown him the way then. Not doubt he'd show him again and again.
~ ~ ~
And God did. God saved Jesus from Herod thru Joseph. God showed Joseph when it was time to go home. I believe God helped Joseph to raise Jesus.
Joseph no doubt felt he was an insignificant part of Jesus' story. That he wasn't worthy to raise Messiah. I don't know for sure, but I know I'd feel that way. But I believe Joseph's story is a lesson for us all. No matter who you are, what you've done or what you will do, God can use you! You are part of his story and no matter what, he can always us you.

Now, this is a character that isn't necessarily in the Bible, but I wan to look at him because he is often though of when we read the part, "There was no room in the inn."
Innkeeper, please tell us your story.

I didn't think much of them when they pounded on my door in the dead of night. Actually, that's not true. I thought of him a lot. I was tired and grouchy and wanted sleep. I mean, an inn doesn't run itself! It's tough work! My wife was snoring and didn't flinch, the old bat, when the pounding started.
Stumbling in my sleepiness, I flung open the door and stomped out to the gate.
"What?! What are you doing pounding on my door at this hour you will wake all my guests! Go away! I have no room!"
The young man flinched at my shouting. I noticed, but the light of my lamp, how tired and stressed he looked. That's when I saw her. She was leaning against the wall. Her stomach was bulging and I could tell her time was near. I mean, my wife has had ten children. I know pregnant ladies, alright!?
I dropped my gaze. "No room." I repeated as I slammed the gate in his face.
Walking slowly back to bed, I felt my conscience tickle me.
You could have found room. You could have given then your room!
I stopped and looked back at the gate. I could have offered them something!
"Aye aye aye!" I sighed as I lay down next to my wife.
"Who was at the door, David?" she asked, rolling over to study my face.
"I don't know, woman! I don't get the name of every vagabond pounding on the door and asking for a room! It was just a young couple."
"Ack! The poor dears! Where did they go?"
"I don't know. I heard him mutter something about a stable. She was near her time and-"
My wife sat up quickly, "You mean to tel me you turned away a pregnant woman? David how could you?!"
"Easy, Tabatha! We have no more room!"
She sighed and flung the covers off the bed, stomping over to fling on her head dress.
"And where are you going?"
"To find that couple!"
"Good luck!" I sighed as I laid down. But the moment I closed my eyes, I saw the woman's small body, shaking from cold and pain.
Aye aye aye! Dear Father in Heaven. Who was that young lady. And why am I feeling like I made a huge mistake turning them away?

~ ~ ~ 

I think we've all had an innkeeper moment. We're at the end of our rope and someone else comes knocking on our door, asking us to give up something we don't have. Time, money, maybe even our *gasp* comfort? And we slam the door in their faces. 

I think we can learn something from this character, even if he isn't in the biblical account. We can learn that, no matter what, we should help those who need it. Not just at Christmas, but all throughout the year. For, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2) 

But truly the greatest character was Jesus. He came as a babe to save the world. Heaven's perfect lamb. He came to die on a cross for me, for you, for everyone. Never forget that. And as Linus from Charlie Brown put it, "That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown." 

Praying for God to bless each person who reads this this Christmas season! 
Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

Here We Are and Here We Stay!

Guys ... we made it!

It took forever. It was stressful and hard.

But, boy, is it worth it!

To finally be here, to start building relationships on this adventure, to be where God wants us and know without a doubt that we are meant to be here...I can't do it justice.

But is the devil ever hitting our house hard. He doesn't want us to be functioning the way we can. Tempers are short, the little ones are getting into everything (and that includes coloring the dog) and life is still crazy! Please continue to pray for us!

But being where God wants ... goodness ... nothing can compare!

I wanted to share a little about our new town and home in this post. 

Aledo is a little town, 3700 people the sign says when you enter. The town of Pride and Progress, it looks like something straight out of Andy Griffith. In short, it's adorable! :)

The town is so safe, Mom lets me go walking by myself with no worries and it is so fun to walk up and down the streets and enjoy this peaceful little town.

My family and I went to the school Winter concert and I was shocked. Not only where they an amazing choir and band, (over 100 kids are in the two bands. That makes up one-forth of the student body) but they sang the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the choir performance! In a public school! It absolutely floored me! 

The house was built in the 1880's and is so cool! My room has one of the smallest closets, but it has the attic stair case! The house has a servant staircase, and let me just say this now. THANK YOU! Thank you to the poor servants back in the day who climbed those stair uncountable times. They are so stinkin' steep! I almost fell the other day and had a mini heart-attack, cause boy would that hurt! 

There is beautiful wood work all through the house as well as a large kitchen and separate dining room. 

I am so blessed to have met three wonderful new friends: Gabby, Damon and Anna. They are all major Whovians like me and we love discussing all things superhero, Star Wars, Doctor Who and Lord of the Rings. 

God has brought us through so much and I know he is going to continue to bring us through much, much more. 

Thank you God, for this adventure. I know I've doubted. I know I will still to doubt sometimes. But you have me. You've never let go. I am where you want me. Use me how you will. I love you Lord. 

Amen.