Christmas

So, I'm sitting here looking at my nativities. Feeling just a little blue. There's no snow outside and I'm missing my normal Christmas routines and extended time with family and friends. But I'm also thinking about the gift that Jesus gave at Christmas.
You see, I've been sick with the flu for the last three days. And by sick, I mean if I got of the couch or even sat up on the couch that was a major victory. Haven't been out of the apartment. Haven't done any decorating or Christmas baking. The tree isn't bought and decorated yet. And time is running out! There are only two more Sundays of Advent! And I don't even have my wreath set up! (yes, you can read that in a wail)
True, the presents are wrapped and close to the spot where the tree will go and there are Christmas decorations spewed all over my living/dining room. Most of them are nativities. They are the only thing that I collect. And I do have a unique collection. I even have two snowmen who traditionally join one of my nativity sets (that's the one with the four wisemen, several shepherds and angels--it's from my great-grandma and it is definitely at least two sets put together and I love it!--I added the snowmen, because as we all know, Bethlehem is full of snow in December and the snowmen arrived on skis and had a snowball fight with the shepherds).
I wonder who those shepherds were? What were their stories? Did their lives change after meeting Jesus in the manger? What about the wisemen? How many were there really? Was it just a representative delegation? What did they do after they went home? Did they think about Jesus and wonder how He grew up and what happened to him? Did their story change other people's lives?
And of course, there are always Mary and Joseph. Poor Joseph, didn't know what he was getting into when he got engaged to Mary. Dishonored in Nazareth for accepting a pregnant woman as his wife. Taking a VERY pregnant girl on a donkey to Bethlehem and then later having to set off for Egypt in the middle of the night. Delivering a baby in the middle of the night after a long day's journey on foot. Trying to make ends meet in a new town for a wife and child. He must have been a man of honour. But I doubt he was as refined and couth as we make him out to be. He was a small town carpenter. He wasn't rich. He was just a simple man. A simple man who took God at His word and obeyed. It can't have all made sense to him. He must have struggled at times to keep believing that this baby who kept him up crying in the night or had the most awful smelling dirty diapers was really God. But as far as we know, he still willing stepped into the unknown holding God's hand and doing the impossible. I'm sure Egypt wasn't a part of his five-year plan. But he abandoned himself to God.
And Mary. She's always portrayed so perfectly. This innocent girl who just obeyed. I wonder how many nights she cried herself to sleep over this "gift". How much did she miss her mother when she was giving birth? And trying to raise this little boy. Did she fight with Joseph? You know, over things like wiping his feet before he came in the house, or forgetting to pick up something at the market on his way home from work. Did she ever just need to get out of the house and away from her toddler? To talk to an adult! Did this dear, sweet, submissive, obedient girl ever rail at God (even just inside her head) for making her an outcast in her hometown? For making her community shun her as a sinful woman?
God's gifts can be so uncomfortable. I mean, really, who wants to be dishonored, lonely, forced to flee your home, travel (9 months pregnant) on a donkey for a few days, leave home and family just when you need them most? Where do people get the idea that life should be easy for Christians? Or that they shouldn't have to give up their comfortable lives to obey God? Or indeed, that God should lay out His plan clearly so that we can see that it doesn't have flaws and that He hasn't forgotten to provide for every need, before we step out in obedience?
It isn't easy to step out in faith when those you love and trust most think you are insane or lying or sinning even! But what miracles lay around the corner for us and the world if we do?