About the Stable on Christmas

Well, here it is almost Christmas. I grew up on a farm and liked nothing better in the winter than to go into the nice warm barn smelling of fresh hay and warm milk, gently hold a new born kitten or climb to the hayloft to build a 'fort' out of straw bales.

So, I was surprised several years ago when a pageant 'dis-ed' the setting. "Dirty, smelly barn". "Nasty animals." "Cold and chilly".

I always considered it warm and serene and while some things are kind of nasty, it takes only a moment to see the other side.

People houses are known to sometimes be 'dirty' or 'smelly'. Ask anyone who forgot to take out the garbage one specific night.

"nasty" people...sinners abound. I'm not huge on crowds or hospitals for that matter...seen too many of both. I like one to ones and lived in spaces.

And noise. Don't forget the noise! Wow are people a hoot for noise. I should know I 'attempt' to play a trumpet sometimes. My cat used to run away when she saw the case. I know, I know...even if I played well, she'd do that...at least if she can.

So the babe lay in a manger with ox and donkey and the cattle were lowing. Sounds like a heavenly beginning to me considering He was/is/ and always shall be the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Well, that's all I got. Guess it's my two cents for stable settings. My brother always asked if I was 'born in a barn". I don't believe so. I don't remember that day. I do know I often forgot to 'close the door' to the outside world back then.

Thank God Jesus knows about the warmth of Grace. Be blessed! -shell

If atheists have their way the nativity scene is reduced to a cage,
somewhat like a mini concentration camp.



Source: http://www.westernjournalism.com/atheist-messages-displace-park-nativity-scenes/

The wisdom of God is truly amazing.

Many years ago I had horses and boarded them at a large stable. There is a special odor to it but all in all when nobody else is in there at night it is very quiet and peaceful.

It is truly beautiful. I agree.

Well, it was more likely to be some sort of cave than a modern day barn
but yea, I doubt it was nasty and smelly compared to many other places
but still, hardly an ideal place to give birth

The floor plan that Jesus came into the world in is not how most picture it in their minds. The nativity scenes displayed are not reflective of the actual layout of the "innkeepers barn".

The amazing thing...is the amazing grace. Nothing in this world happens by chance that God's hand has not touched, caressed, loved and designed. Thank you, Jesus, for opening our hearts to you and making us "guiding stars" to the Christ child for others. Blessings to all. Amen -student

All that you said is often true of modern barns, though it was probably more of a cave, but I smile as I read your post, not 12 hours ago I stepped into the loose box of our byre and helped a slimy, struggling calf to her feet and held a bottle as she drooled all over me. All around me was wet slimy straw where the water had broken, and a big pile of slimy, bloody, oozing afterbirth to one side. It's very true that a barn/stable is a very nice place at times, but I think we might be losing sight of what God demonstrated to us when his Son was born in a barn. Think about that sentence, the Son of God was born in...a barn. The son of a king. The Son of the King. Where's the palace? Where are the silks and attendants? The life and sacrifice of the Son of God is so very touchable, it's not just for a select few of high birth or great riches, which is what makes it so glorious. I'm not going to argue whether the stable was currently a nice place, or if it was a filthy mess, but if I were Joseph I wouldn't have wanted to be in the nicest, cleanest stable in Bethlehem.

Earthly birth...is messy. I'm thinking it is correct to say Jesus could/would/should have had a nicer place to be born, but then I identify how we also should/would/could be in a better place were it not for sin. Which brings a new question, is He born without sin if not born among the least of his creatures? The blood of the lamb was once the sacrifice for sins. The perfect Lamb was born among them. Without spot, without blemish. Here's another question that may sound minute at best, but God created animals. They suffer for us along with us. While we have dominion over them, we are caretakers of them. God loves all creation. Somewhere in this odd thinking is the idea that there were people in places born in situations far worse than a stable. Without identifying with them, He may have missed something. I am puzzling this all at a late hour in a quiet place. One thing I keep thinking about is manna. God provides. Every day for as long as we don't complain about the provision. Then comes the day we ask for more and God provides/allows it to the suffering of his beauty. Thoughts?

I think the following verses are quite telling.

Matthew 8:19-20 AMP
[19] And a scribe came up and said to Him, Master, I will accompany You wherever
You go. [20] And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air
have lodging places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.


During the ministry of Jesus he had nowhere to call his own home. He went about with
purpose and with the work of the Father to do. Maybe the manger birth mirrors this.
He was also not part of this world but had another kingdom. Strange isn't that the
God who created everything and sustains it all, chose not to own anything on earth.
Even the clothes he wore were taken from him at his death.

Barns smelly? I, my brother and cousin grew up playing on our Grandma's farm (non working since Grandpa died when I was two). I have good memories of playing in the barn, I love the smell of manure, and I played in the hayloft. I take after my ole Grandma, like her I only eat with tablespoons, and she loved Cows as I do, they are so therapeutic to watch them graze and chew the cud. I loved to gather eggs in the morning in the barn until the foxes are something got all the hens. I remember once, one hen had some chicks and they would run under her wings at any hint of danger. There was an old buckboard wagon under the lean-to of the barn.

My ole Grandma made Sun Bonnets out of flour sacks with small roses printed on them. He packed a scatter gun outside when at night the dog treed something, one shot and the night was quite again.

Sorry that I took off on the natural aspect of your thread.

It was a house. The typical Jewish house was laid out so the actual "stable" where the animals slept was part of the floor plan of the house. Typical modern interpretation paints it as tho the innkeeper made Mary go have her baby across the yard in the feces infested barn.

I never knew that yet it makes sense. It's part of the culture of Europe. I lived in Germany for a space of time and there the barns were attached as well. Thus providing heat for all the occupants Thank you!

He chose to be born in humility and graciousness and give this as an inheritance to His people,,,
may we accept this precious gift in like manner....

Anyway, the point is the Son of the King was born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough. Sounds pretty repulsive to me, no matter how you doll it up.