Donna Pool – His Way does not own any rights to this artwork.
Have you ever wondered how long Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were allowed to bed down in the stable? I imagine with more and more people arriving in the city day and night for the census that every inch of the stable would need to be utilized for the animals. The artist’s depiction of this painting made my eyes mist over at the thought of this family being displaced so soon after a long trip, grueling conditions for giving birth, and receiving non stop visitors.
There are differing theological writings that give historical accounts of the times leading to any number of scenarios, what if’s, and could’ve been when it comes to where they went after finding out there were no rooms available anywhere in the city. Yes, Joseph’s families home could’ve been so packed they had no room for anymore relatives. It’s plausible that the stable they stayed in was actually Joseph’s families and it was the only “room” they had to offer. What if they’d not been displaced at all, but rather given shelter in a stone cold building; giving birth on a stone slab? Perhaps the city was so full of people and their animals that Mary and Joseph had to seek shelter in a nearby cave for themselves and animals complete with hay for bedding and a trough for water. Any of these scenarios could’ve been the way it was. The important point is not found in which scenario is the actual setting for at the end of the day these accounts don’t change the end result.
Surviving the rugged road of life lies in how you look at and deal with the onslaught of unpleasant surprises, disruptive occurrences, and difficult circumstances. In the middle of all the chaos there is joy, peace, hope, and love to be found. Pursue it.
Seek good, Pass it on, and Seize the day. Light has come and still lives on in You.
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be No end.” Isaiah 9: 6,7