Away beyond the manger

During this time of year we recall the story laid out for us so well in Luke Chapter 2. We think of sweet baby Jesus laying in a manger. And we always think of Jesus as this cherubic blonde headed, blue-eyed baby lying quietly on a soft bed of hay. But I’m sure that was not the case. There is a very real possibility that baby Jesus came into this world with dark skin and brown eyes. He was most definitely covered in afterbirth, umbilical cord still attached as they used whatever rudimentary tools they had on hand to take care of cleaning him and making him presentable to the world. And I’m sure Mary must have wondered during the weeks of morning sickness and the pain of childbirth that surely Christ was not supposed to enter the world this way. But he had to. He had to suffer the all things this world presented him.

But, before you go to thinking I have just ruined the picture of Christmas for you I ask you to picture this. This precious child lying in a manger as the angels form a line from heaven to earth to see God’s only begotten son. I can imagine them standing over him with tears in their angel eyes and smiles on their Angel faces brighter than the stars above. I imagine them hovered around him with excited angel whispers about their king. Each stretching to see over the other to see God come to earth.

This is the picture that got me to thinking, who did he look like? He had to have his mother’s features but what about his father? He couldn’t look like Joseph. Did people look at him and say how much he looks like his mom? And what about as he grew?

As we watch our own children grow we see them change in appearance. Some days looking more like mom and other days like dad. And this line of reasoning got me to thinking of how we are all sons and daughters of our Lord. And while I carry features from both biological parents, is that what I want people to see?

Lord forgive me when people look at me and don’t say that I look more and more like my Heavenly Father every day. And please help me to reflect you on a daily basis so that when I finally cross through those pearly gates no ID is required because I want them to look at me and immediately know that I am related to you. That I am your child. That I look just like you.