While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 WEB.

While his wife gave birth in a stable, the strong smell of farm animals permeated the air around them. Joseph, the carpenter, had to contemplate their situation. I grew up on a farm and know what the "fragrance of nature" smells like. It's not a pleasant aroma.

Joseph and Mary had to make an emergency trip to his hometown of Bethlehem because of the Roman census. When they arrived, the town was filled with other travelers like them. So they tried to stay at the inn, but there was no room. All the houses were full as well. No one would take them in.

Mary started having labor pains, and she probably tried to keep it to herself at first. People talked about them and gave "knowing" looks when they passed by, for Mary was nine months pregnant, but they were not fully married yet. That would have been scandalous.

The labor pains increased to the point of an emergency, and someone pointed them to a nearby stable. So, the baby Jesus was born into the world and laid in a feeding trough. Those were some very humble circumstances for the King of Kings. Joseph had to think: "Not like this. God would never allow this to happen."

Humble, Simple, Glorious, that's the way He rolls. God chose such a lowly entrance for His precious Son that very few people recognized Him at all. Thousands of years in the planning, this was God's way of breaking the hold of sin that had held humanity since the first Adam. God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son to redeem us, to buy us back, to do what we were unable to do.

Few people recognize the Lord when He shows up today, for they are looking over His head or right on past Him. As a people, we tend to like shiny, powerful, and wealthy things. Yet, the outcast, the oppressed, the black sheep we ignore, those are the ones who recognized Jesus. Sinners flocked to Him in droves. So let us never become so holy that we no longer recognize God and His heart for reaching the lost.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let me see the world through Your eyes and feel what You feel. Touch my spirit and heal me. Change my heart, and let me never be the same. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” James 5:13 ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.