Lifeway just released a statistic declaring that 81% of Americans agree that family traditions are the most important part of Christmas. We all have a handful of traditions that come to mind including parades, stockings, and distinct family Christmas-time customs. But what if the biblical Christmas story was not really about family traditions or gifts? What if Christmas was more about Frustration. In fact, Luke 2 records a messy frustration scene. Everything in Joseph and Mary’s world was tumultuous. They weren’t married and Joseph was punishable by death due to Mary’s pregnancy. The Romans were oppressing the Jews during this time period and the town is so full of people due to the census, they couldn’t even find a room to deliver the Christ child. There was nothing Silent about this night, delightful about this manger, or charming about these animals. Rodents were roaming the crib and animal saliva creating an unpleasant stench.
The only person in history that was able to choose the circumstances he would enter into the world chose this MESS.
WHY???
Because in the middle of very difficult circumstances, GOD SHOWS UP!
He did and He will again!
God’s presence can bring us more joy through circumstantial sadness.
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