Stay Awhile

We are all familiar with the scriptures that depict how the Magi (aka The Three Wise Men) followed the star of Bethlehem to seek out and honor the newborn king and shepherds made their way to Jesus after the angels notified them of His birth.

I have nativity scenes all over my house with the standard participants: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, three kings, a shepherd, an angel, some animals, a manager, and the stable.

Mostly intact, present, and accounted for.

The nativity story has been told, depicted, analyzed, interpreted, questioned, and embellished for centuries.

I'll leave all the details of accuracy for the theologians to wrestle with.

As I read the scriptures about the kings and shepherds, the visitation scene started to play in my head, undoubtedly influenced by the decades of imagery and claymation movies deeply embedded in my brain.

As I think about them visiting that stable, it reminds me of when we visit the hospital when someone has a baby.

We pop in, bring some gifts, hold the baby, ooh and aah over them being the cutest babe in the world, and then leave to give the family privacy.

But wouldn't visiting the Son of God have been different?

I mean, they all traveled so far to see this baby that they know is the Savior of the world. The anticipation was probably so intense as they got closer and closer.

Once they arrived and saw Jesus face to face, they must have fallen to the ground in worship (at least one of the kings in most of my nativity scenes is on their knees, so I can verify this).

Wouldn't they have wanted to stay forever and worship the Son of God - The Messiah?

Knowing the kings had ample resources, couldn't they have offered a security detail to stick with the family and ensure they were safe?

Wouldn't the shepherds have left their herds to follow and serve the family, never leaving their side for a minute?

We, of course, don't know the details of what happened after the familiar scene we have come to know.

Perhaps Jesus began crying or needed a swaddle change, and they sensed it was time to go.

"Well, thanks for letting us come by. He's beautiful, and we can't wait to see what happens in a few decades. We are going to go back to our palaces and fields. Best of luck to you!"

Off they went back to their lives.

What would I have done if I was there?

Would I have left my life behind and offered to help and serve the family? After all, I love babies and would have made a great Nanny for them. Or, I could have cleaned and helped with planning as they traveled to Jerusalem.

Most likely, I would have just popped in, paid my respects, and returned to my regularly scheduled life as the others did.

I got to thinking that this is how we tend to behave with Jesus today.

We pop in a couple of times a year to visit and celebrate His birth or thank Him for his sacrifice on our behalf.

We might come back for a quick visit throughout the year when we want something or need help and then head back to our herds and castles.

Beloved, Jesus deserves more than that from us.

Let's take a break from our journey, sit down, and just get to know Him and who He is with no agenda, expectations, or performances.

Let's stay awhile with Jesus and see if we can do anything to help instead of just popping in for a quick visit.

For everything He has done for us, that we can do.

After all, we are His beloved and He is ours.

Numbers 24:17

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

Matthew 2: 1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? e saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Luke 2: 8-15

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."