Christmas through different eyes...

The longer I live in Ethiopia, the more the Bible comes to life. (I know it's not in the Middle East, but look at a map, it's pretty close!) Things like separate your sheep from your goats-- that didn't make sense until I lived here and saw how similar they look. This Christmas has been different for many reasons, and this year, I saw the story through different eyes... 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 

This journey wouldn't have been a piece of cake. The sun is hot, nights are cold, and roads are anything but smooth. All while very pregnant! 

Donkeys aren't actually mentioned, but these guys carry heavy loads all over the city. 

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

Who knows what it actually looked like, but I do know that animals stink! What a statement... The most important baby in the world was placed on a place where animals eat (and full of slobber according to some KG2 kiddos).

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

A job that wasn't (and still isn't) held in high regards. 

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"  When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 

Sitting in fields outside the city. I love that God chose to first share the greatest news with a group of smelly shepherds. 

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:4-20

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Again, no actual mention of camels, but it's cool to see them! 

 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

The smells of tradional coffe ceremonies: coffee and frankincense. You can't help but think of the gift for Jesus every time you smell it! 

How will you see Christmas through new eyes this year? Maybe you'll find a way to serve as a family. Maybe you'll focus on making new traditions after a year of loss. Maybe you'll spend more time with our Savior. 

Merry Christmas! 

Stay tuned for a look at Christmas in Ethiopia! Coming soon!