Last Christmas, our middle man-child Ben, gave Tom and I a surprise Christmas gift that would just keep right on giving. A little bull terrier puppy we named Skippy. Like Clifford the Big Red dog, Skippy grew and grew and now one year later, he is fairly massive. Skippy has good traits and he has bad traits. Most days I love him, but some days I don’t talk to him. I find myself thinking about that man-child Ben frequently—unpleasant thoughts really—as I pick up Skippy‘s p_ _p 💩 from the backyard. Skippy gives a lot.
This last week we went to see the Christmas episode of The Chosen in the theater. Now, I love The Chosen and wanted to support them, and I was excited to see the movie. To be honest, it wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be as the “episode” was quite short and there were a lot of up-close videos of singers whom I was not familiar with. (Pretty music, but too much zoomed-in facial squinting for me.) BUT, the episode itself was great and thought provoking! I have found myself very interested in the idea of Joseph helping Mary give birth. It’s quite extraordinary.
One scene in particular caught my imagination. Joseph and Mary had entered the stable and Mary was getting the manger cleaned out and ready for a baby. Joseph was getting a place ready for Mary to deliver the baby. Joseph pushed some things out of the way and then the camera focused in on him shoveling a pile of 💩 away. This would be where the Son of God, Creator of heaven and earth was to be born! Incredible! Great analogy!
It made me reflect on how that was literally this Baby’s mission. To take away our 💩. We all have it in our lives. Our 💩 comes in many shapes and forms. From faithlessness to fear to pride and piety. It’s labeled disease, divorce, depression, and even death. We stink of it. We are filthy from it. We are deep in it. But Jesus comes into the world to take it away. Clean it up. Get it out. Remove it from us as far as the East is from the West. And then He replaces it with—Himself. Jesus gives a lot. In fact, he gave it all. First, in the stable and then on the cross. What a truly amazing gift!
Christmas is a made up word. December 25 is a made up date. But the story of Mary and Joseph delivering a sweet little baby by themselves in a stable, well, I believe is true. The baby in the manger was the beginning of the rescue plan. “And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He shall save his people from their 💩.” Joy to the world, the Lord has come! What a wonder is His great love!