Simplicity of the stable!

The birth of Jesus and the surroundings reminds me of the mere simplicity of Christ.

We often times make living for Him harder than it really is. Jesus said it is simple to follow Him, all we have to do is Admit, Believe and Confess...the abc's of Christianity. But we try to throw in some d's, f's and g's along the way, making it difficult to follow His lead.

As I read the Christmas Story in the book of Luke, I am reminded of just how simple that very first Christmas was:

LUKE 2:4 "Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David."

The Jews were expecting the King of Kings to come and no doubt some of them believed that His arrival would be in such a grand way in which a King should be ushered into the world. With great excitement, with all party favors brought out.

Certainly, His birth would be at one of the most elegant, grand temples or religious buildings that could be found. Certainly, the finest linens and silks would be brought out in honor and celebration of the new King! ...Most certainly...

LUKE 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

...But instead of a grand entrance and fine linens and silk, God chose a humble village instead of Jerusalem for baby Jesus to be born, and instead of fine silks to be wrapped in, God had Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths and he was laid in a manger. A manger was simply a animal feeding trough. Nothing shiny, nothing made of gold, no trumpets blaring, just a simple entrance.

But this is our King, why would God choose for His birth to be done in such a simplified way? Look at the people that God chose to use...a carpenter and his pregnant wife, some anonymous shepherds and an unsuspecting inn keeper. All of them just simple people, living simple lives.

As we read the Christmas Story again this year, may we all be reminded that God uses simple people. People like Mary and Joseph and people like you and me. He is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary things for Him!