Beyond the Manger

As I sit on this Christmas Eve somewhat exhausted from the shopping and preparations over the last few days, I find myself feeling a little overwhelmed with life. Perhaps it is just the fatigue coupled with the high family tensions but nonetheless, it's not appropriate on this holy night. I then reflect on that night over 2,000 years ago. A young couple, a pregnant teenager who had just travelled by donkey over a rugged terrain. Her birthing room was not going to be in a sterile hospital room like today, but in a stable with a feeding trough for her newborn's crib. This couple's baby was the King of kings and Lord of lords. I wonder if Mary felt overwhelmed by her surroundings? Did she complain to Joseph about their accomodations? After all she had just travelled long and hard, ready to give birth. She must have been so uncomfortable. Whether or not she felt frustrated, we are not told. Mary, however knew that she was given the privilege of carrying and giving birth to the Messiah. This was her path in life and she accepted this in obedience to her God. She was favored among women. A special place to be in.
I need to remember that I also have a path in life. It is not a path of raising the Messiah, but I am given the responsibility of raising my children in the ways of the Lord. That in itself is an honoured position to be in. I need to reflect God's teaching and love to my children and my unbelieving husband.
God has set out this path for me and I need to be obedient, just as Mary was. In a different way, I have found favour with God by Him giving me "this" family and "this" responsibility(though I don't feel the least bit deserving).
God selects His caregivers very carefully. He expects me to do as Mary did and look beyond the manger. To see beyond the circumstances today and see others and myself with His eyes and not with my finite ones.