When a baby in a manger feels a little closer to home than it ever has before.
As I was deciding what to share with you today... the lyrics of a Christmas carol kept playing in my mind... "away in a manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus, lay down his sweet head". Over the past few weeks we have served several babies with "no crib for a bed". We sing songs and tell stories of "no room at the inn", as if those things are just charming details, but I've been wondering what we might think of parents who had to resort to sleeping in a barn with their baby in an animal feeding trough tonight.
And as I worshipped a God who would send his son to live like one of us in our lowest moment, I received an email from a co-worker quoting the same lyrics. Covid recently swept through her household, and I wanted to share her perspective as well.
"Mother Teresa once said, “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for."
"My time in quarantine gave me a little taste of that kind of poverty. As it turns out, isolation is really painful! Through all of this, I gained a deeper appreciation for the work we do with CarePortal every day. First, never underestimate the impact of giving someone exactly what they need at just the right time. The day home-cooked meals, paper plates, and plastic cups showed up on my porch was game-changing—even if I couldn’t interact with the people who brought them! Second, never, ever, ever underestimate the value of a bed! COVID required me to sleep in all kinds of places, but not in my comfortable bed with my comfortable pillow, where my husband was isolating to protect me from getting sick. Again, my temporary discomfort didn’t prevent me from doing any of the things I needed to do, but my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being all measurably improved when I was able to rest well again—and my family’s life got better too! The families we serve all deserve a good night's sleep!
Finally, we at CarePortal talk a lot about how gifts as simple as beds can lead to meaningful connections and ongoing relationships. This year, I marvel at the lengths God Himself took to offer meaningful connections and eternal relationships to us. The Son of God chose to embrace isolation and material poverty to offer us the cure for the spiritual poverty Mother Teresa described. Somehow, “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,” has a different ring to it this year. " ~Janelle Shelton
May the Lord bless you for your sacrificial giving. We know times are hard all around, but we also know that God has special blessings for those who will put a brother or sister's need above their own. In this way (as you serve and connect with your neighbors ), May you deeply identify and connect with Jesus!
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