A Little Bit Of Straw

I remember the church I went to as a girl.
I can see the stained glass windows in my memory.
I can hear the wooden pews creak when anyone sat down.
I can smell the old wood and the pungent aroma of incense that was used in various liturgies.

It was Christmas time that I loved the most.
I remember the large wooden Nativity that was set up on the side of the church.
It was behind the altar rail so it could be seen but not touched by little hands.
I was mesmerized by the figures of Mary and Joseph; the sheep looked so real to me.

The empty manger always bothered me.
I knew that the manger would be filled with Baby Jesus on Christmas.
But the waiting…
Oh, the waiting was so hard.

I remember one particular year.
We were allowed to go up to the manger and take some of the straw that lay on the wood.
We were able to put the straw in a tissue or a small sandwich bag.
I remember my mother took some of the straw.

That straw, from the large wooden manger, was placed around our manger at home.
She spread the little bit of straw around Baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
A little bit of straw from the large manger was more than enough for our small one.
When the Christmas decorations were put away, the straw went into a manila envelope.

That manila envelope stayed in the box with the old Nativity set, which I still have.
That same straw was put around our manger each year.
The straw was still in the same manila envelope.
Every year, it was gathered and put back, with only a few pieces falling to the floor.

It was a link to my past.
It was a bit of a memory that came with me into adulthood.
I still remember the night my mother gathered the little bit of straw.
Something so simple was so special to me.

 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 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. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2: 4-19)

Can you imagine that night?
Can you imagine the smell?
Can you imagine the animal’s warm breath visible in the air?
Can you imagine the ground on which Mary lay?

There must have been straw around her.
There must have been blood on that straw.
There must have been cries in the night.
The cries of Mary and Jesus blended together when He took his first breath.

And Joseph was beside her.
He probably wrapped the tiny baby in cloths.
He probably moved the bloody straw away to make things as clean as he could.
That bloody straw was tossed aside.

And there would be blood again one day.
And this time it would not be tossed aside.
This time the blood would cover the sins of the people.
This time the blood was from a perfect sacrifice who died to satisfy the wrath of God.

This blood was from Jesus who died in our place.
Jesus’ blood saves.
Jesus’ blood continues to save.
Jesus’ blood saves all those who believe in the One who died for them.

Jesus came once.
Jesus will come again.
Jesus, Son of God and Son of man, was born to die so that we might live.
We have redemption by His blood.

A little bit of straw reminded me.