A LIGHT IN THE BARN: CHRISTMAS STORY

"Mother, look. There's light in the barn. May I go see the animals?"

"Eli, it's so cold. Let's get back to our room, which we were so fortunate to have gotten. It was the last one in the inn. We'll climb under a heavy, warm blanket and I'll read you a psalm . . . one about the Messiah who is to come one day."

"Mother, please," Eli begged. "It will be warmer in the barn. I love how cows look at me with their big brown eyes. And the sheep have such funny hair, like mine when I forget to comb it."

Mother didn't say a word, but only smiled and took Eli's small hand. Eli strained as if on a leash, his eyes bouncing with anticipation, his feet nearly dancing. Then he slowed for just a moment.

"Mother, how shall we know the Messiah? Will he wear a golden crown and wear a purple robe? Will he be a giant? Bigger than any man we know?"

"What an imagination," Mother laughed.

"Actually to look upon the Messiah, you might not be able to tell him from any other man. The Scriptures say that He is not a comely man that we would notice Him. The Scriptures also tell us that He will be born to a virgin--a woman who has never slept with a man."

"I've never slept with a man," Eli said with a puzzled look.

Mother covered her mouth as though holding back a sneeze.

"You, Eli, are not a woman and as for the rest of that, we'll talk of it another day. Or better yet, your father will discuss it with you. Father will be wondering where we've gone. We'd better hurry."

As Mother and Eli walked along the worn path to the barn, Mother looked up. "What an unusual star," she mused. "I've never ever seen one so bright!"

"I hear voices," Eli said. "Other people must have come to see the animals, too. And Mother, listen. I hear a baby."

"A baby? No child. It must be a calf whining. A barn is no place for a baby."

"It is mother. Listen," Eli insisted.

Mother turned her ear toward the barn, now only a few yards away.

"You're right," Mother said with surprise.

As Mother and Eli approached they saw kings, three of them, presenting gifts to a couple with a brand new baby.

"Mother, who are those people? Do we need a gift, too? Can we still go in?"

The couple saw Eli and his mother hesitating to enter. "Come! Come!" they urged. "Come meet Jesus, our new little babe."

"We're sorry to interrupt," Mother said. "Eli wanted to see the animals."

"Well, come in. The wind's rather cross, tonight."

Mother nudged Eli ahead of her and warned him that they didn't have much time. "Remember, Father is waiting. Greet your cow and sheep. Then we'll leave this couple to rest."

"Your little one must be someone quite special to be visited by kings," Mother said.

"Indeed, He is," Mary answered. "Special to us, and to you as well. He is our Messiah, yours and mine, born to save us from our sins."

"Messiah?" Mother whispered to herself. "Messiah!" she said again a little louder.

Mary rocked Jesus in her arms, a look of wonder in her eyes.

"It is hard to believe isn't it? Yet, if it seems so to you, imagine me. I have given birth to Him."

"Messiah?" Mother kept saying over and over. "I knew He was coming, but of course I didn't know when. I only hoped to see Him as a man. I never imagined I'd see Him as a . . . well, as a baby! How God must love me!"

"Eli, come here. This baby is the one we talked of. This is the Messiah!"

Mother knelt and tears streamed down her cheeks. Eli knelt beside her.

"I've nothing to give Him," Mother said. "Why, we packed so lightly for the trip. I have but a couple coins. Please, accept these."

Mary placed her hands on Mother's and curled her fingers back to cover the coins.

"Thank you but no. I will tell you, though, what you may give of more value than all the gifts He has yet received."

"What ever could that be?"

Mary placed a hand on each of Mother's shoulders. Then, Mary looked intently into Mother's eyes. "Tell everyone you know and everyone you meet that the Messiah has come. He's come to save us all from our sins."

"I will! I will!" Mother exclaimed. She grabbed Eli's hand and ran with him to the inn.

Have A Blessed Christmas And May You Understand God's Love To Be More Real Than You Ever Imagined,
Lonnie
Copyright 2016