Rags and Straw

In the familiar words from Luke 2:6-7, we follow the story of Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem:

And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.
And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Think of that for a moment - it was a manger where animals munched their hay.

In most of the Christmas pagenats, we hear the words “swaddling clothes," but the translation above is more accurate. And to be honest “swaddling cloths” simply means strips of cloth – rags, if you will.

The Son of God – the King of Kings – began his earthly life in rags and straw.

If you had been writing the story, you would have come up with a more fitting setting, wouldn’t you? But a cold, damp cave – and a newborn baby surrounded by rags and straw... To put it mildly, the circumstances of Jesus’ birth were “less than ideal.”

If you haven't yet done so, be sure and see the movie The Nativity Story, or be sure to rent or buy it when it comes out on DVD. It will be a great movie to add to your collection, and one worth seeing each year. It will help you come to terms with how "imperfect" the setting of the first Christmas really was.

All across our community – and across our world – there are folks facing their OWN “rags and straw” situations – less than ideal circumstances – that make it awfully hard to celebrate.

There are a lot of folks huddled in cold, damp caves – surrounded by rags and straw this year. But even amid rags and straw, a miracle can happen. The same God who was at work in that incredible moment of Bethlehem – amid the rags and straw – is there for you. Please believe that.

The theme for the last week of Advent is very simple, and very important – “Celebrate whatever your circumstances.”

Mary had a choice – either focus on what’s missing – a warm bed – a pillow – a clean environment. Or focus on what’s there. Each of us must do exactly the same thing. The way to find the Christmas you’ve always longed for is NOT to wait for the ideal circumstances.

Just like the birth of the King, your miracle will happen in the middle of less-than-ideal circumstances. That’s what makes it a miracle, you see.

In the middle of YOUR rags and straw, King Herod will have nothing to offer you...but King Jesus will offer you a blessing beyond compare.

In the middle of YOUR rags and straw, your future may appear to be quite bleak...but King Jesus offers you hope.

How do we celebrate amid rags and straw? Focus on both your IN BOX and your OUT BOX...

Your IN BOX – means what’s coming in. Find ways to bring the holiness of God into your IN BOX. Focus on what you can control. Music is one of the very best ways...to calm and feed your soul.

Your OUT BOX – means what come out of you – in particular, your words and your deeds. Watch your tendency to complain.
Mary could have whined all the way to Bethlehem. But there is no evidence that’s how it went. Her faith helped her see something different – and helped her to realize that God was absolutely working things out despite less than ideal circumstances.

When you are in the middle of the rags and straw – go ahead and tell the Lord how you feel – but don’t stop there – use words to describe how you have seen the presence of God – even in the middle of the unlikeliest of circumstances. Name what God is doing. Let your soul magnify the Lord...let your Spirit rejoice in God your Savior.


This poem by Greg Asimakoupoulos is called "From Quarrels to Carols," and you will enjoy its message!

It's far from a silent night.
The kids are fighting.
The baby's crying.
The neighbors are yelling.
My molded salad's not jelling.
The oven's on the fritz,
and there are bits of tinsel
tracked throughout the house.

But in spite of defective appliances,
imperfect children,
and uncooperative gelatin,
it's not too late to celebrate.
I can still transform this nightmare
into a night to remember.

To calm the quarrels
I put on some carols
and heat up a kettle for cocoa.
Peeling off my Oscar-the-Grouch mask,
I ask my kids to sit with me
and together we bask
in the glow of the lights on the tree
(squinting our eyes to blur the colors)
and sip warm, chocolatey brew
until the chestnuts are through
roasting on an open fire.