The Babe of Bethlehem

This figurine sits upon an end table in our great room.

It looks like an expensive Lladro figurine,

but was purchased a few years ago at

a hardware store

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Not an exclusive boutique

or from a vintage auction... just a local small hardware store

that sells nuts and bolts and cans of paint.

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It seems fitting somehow,

considering the birth of Jesus,

born in a lowly stable surrounded by animals,

~ straw and hay ~

because there was no room in the town.

A cold dark stable

for the King of Heaven.

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This is not a sweet nativity scene with Mary holding her baby.

It is an escape to protect him from death.

The story is found in Matthew 2

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"The Visit of the Magi

and

The Escape into Egypt"

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I found this Christmas Carol in a book,

but I'm not sure if I have ever heard it sung.

I was surprised to find a song that spoke this part of the Christmas Story,

that included King Herod and his decree that caused great weeping in the land.
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Unto Us a Boy is Born

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(Latin, 15th Century, Translated by Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936)

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Unto us a boy is born!

The King of all creation,

Came he to a world forlorn,

The Lord of every nation

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Cradled in a stall was he

With sleepy cows and asses;

But the very beasts could see

That he all men surpasses.

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Herod then with fear was filled;

"A prince," he said, "in Jewry!"

All the little boys he killed

At Bethl'em in his fury.

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Now may Mary's son, who came

So long ago to love us,

Lead us all with hearts aflame

Unto the joys above us.

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An angel warned Joseph in a dream that he needed to take

Mary and the babe and flee into Egypt

until it was safe to return to his own land.

So many miracles surround Jesus' birth

the prince of this earth did not want this little baby to grow up

because he knew the trouble it would mean for him

Thirty three years later.

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... When the power of death was destroyed ...

and we were rescued through God's amazing grace