In just a few hours 2002 will be history.  For many of us, this year has been filled with memorable moments, and for others it's a year we'd like to forget.  These 365 days can be interpreted in so many different ways.  Meticulous plans in January give way to God's plans in December and early dreams give way to late reality.  It was so for Joseph and Mary and it is so for us today.

          Despite the fact that it's already a week since Christmas, and though we Americans always seem compelled to put the past quickly behind us, I still have a small matter to settle about Christmas.  A question about Christmas that has always puzzled me is this:  "Why was Jesus born in a barn?"  I grew up on a farm.  I know about barns.  They're dirty and cold and the last place you'd ever want to bring a newborn baby, much less give birth to one there.

          And yet, here is the Lord of heaven and earth allowing His Son, even causing His Son, to be born in a dirty stable.  What should we make of this?  I'm sure there are a hundred reasons why Jesus was born in a stable, but we know only a few of them.  The simplest answer was that there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the Inn, but I think there's much more to it than that.

          Why was Jesus born in a barn?  Three reasons come to mind:  (1) It was the only place available.  Jesus could have been born in the finest mansion, but it was not made available to Him.  You see, the Son of God goes where He is made welcome.  We see this often in the Bible.  Jesus once told His disciples that when they enter a town, they should stay where they are welcomed.  But if they are not welcomed, they should shake the dust off their feet and move on.  God goes where He is wanted.

          Here's a riddle:  Where does a 600 pound gorilla go?  Answer?  Anywhere he wants to!  Now you'd think the same would be true of God.  Where does the Lord God of heaven and earth go?  No - that's not the answer.  When it comes to faith, He goes only where He is wanted.  He tells us in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..."  It's an amazing picture in that verse, that the almighty Son of God stands humbly before us, asking permission to be part of our lives.  He does not force Himself on anyone, but only goes into homes and hearts where He is made welcome.

          Why was Jesus born in a barn?  (2) God was making a statement about Himself.  Jesus is not like any other royalty you've ever heard about.  Kings come with great entourages, accompanied by pageantry and many demands.  But Jesus was born in a stable to humble human parents with His only visitors some lowly shepherds or perhaps the Innkeeper's wife.  In doing so, God is telling us something about Himself.  Nothing about God is like the kings of the earth.  They're into appearances and images;  God is into truth and love.

          Kings of the world are into power and glory;  but God is into mercy and grace.  Kings of the earth delight in war, but He is Prince of Peace.  They build armies, but He breaks their bows and cuts their spears apart and burns their chariots in fire (Psalm 46).  Kings love grandeur and pomp, but He is all simplicity and meekness.  They are born in kings' houses;  He is born in a barn!

          How can the kings and princes of this world find room in their lives for a newborn Monarch?  Indeed, how can any of us, prince or pauper?  We have trouble finding room in our closets, let alone our hearts.  Where will be find room for God?

          If Jesus would have employed an image consultant, He'd have been advised to follow the example of Absalom, son of David, who rode around Jerusalem in a huge chariot pulled by teams of horses and accompanied by 50 runners.  Like modern rock stars, David's rebellious son knew that the size of the entourage said volumes about the celebrity.  (Seems I've heard a current movie star - Jennifer Lopez, I believe - who has more than 100 paid staff with her when she travels.)

          They say might makes right, but He teaches us love.  They live by the politics of ambition, but He lives by the Spirit of Truth.  Kings ride in chariots, amid pomp and power of their position.  But Jesus one day entered Jerusalem far differently than we should have imagined.  The prophet Zechariah foretold that the Messiah King would come, "...gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)   Not very grand or impressive by the world's standards.  In effect, Jesus forsook the stretch limo and entered town riding in an old Chevy pickup.

          That's because Jesus is not like any other celebrity.  Look at the feedbunk where His mother lay Him that first night, or see the young boy carpenter carrying his tool box to work.  Then look at the young Rabbi whose entourage was a dozen generally confused men pulled out of society who followed Him around.  Anyone who doubts Jesus' place in life need only see his birthplace (a stable), or His house (He never owned one), or His death (on a Roman cross) or his grave (borrowed from a rich man) or his followers today (motivated by love, not power or pride).

          Why was Jesus born in a barn?  (3) Where else would a lamb be born?  The lamb was so very important in the lives of the Jews.  It all started when Cain and Abel brought their sacrifices to the Lord.  Cain's was grain, which God rejected, while Abel's was a firstborn lamb, and God accepted it.  Later God ordered the sacrifice of lambs as an acceptable offering to Him.  In Egypt, a lamb died in each Jewish home on Passover night so that its blood on the door post could save the family inside from death and destruction.

          In the Promised Land, God ordered that a lamb die on the Day of Atonement, and later each Friday on the Temple Mount, to remind the people their sins were forgiven by the death of a living creature.  Someone has said the entire story of redemption might be summed up in three lines:  (1) "Where is the Lamb?" (Genesis 22:7)   So asked Isaac when Abraham's faith was tested in Mt. Moriah.  (2) "Behold the Lamb!" (John 1:29)   So said John the Baptist as Jesus came to Him to be baptized in the Jordan River.  (3) "Worthy is the Lamb!" (Revelation 5:12)   So say the angels and all the saints as they honor and worship the Lamb before the Father's throne.

          Our Savior is Immanuel, "God With Us."  Had Jesus been born in a mansion on a hilltop, few people would have felt welcome in His presence.  But He was born in a barn.  Anyone can come there.  The lowly shepherds did not need an invitation to the stable, and neither do we.  Then and now, anyone willing to humble himself - or herself - in the presence of God may come to Jesus.

          As we stand at the gates of 2003, let's all take comfort in knowing we need never fear coming into the presence of the Lamb of God.  And that precious Lamb, who has weathered all the storms Satan could throw at Him, will bring us safely through all our storms as well.  This last week I heard someone say, "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."  I like that:  "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."

          You see, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is ours in Jesus Christ, so long as we stay with Him.  He is "God With Us".  May He give us courage and faith to stay with Him in the coming year.  Amen.

Copyright © 2002 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.