“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 guest room available for them.” Luke 2:6-7
Christmas is five days away. Thank you for reading this. You must have loads of things to do. From the mundane laundry and dishes, to work projects that need to be finished by the end of the year, to special touches you long to add to your holiday; your schedule, if it looks like mine, is full. And those are just things that are on the calendar.
What I have found true over the years is that days fill up with things not on the schedule. The unplanned and unexpected. Or simply the reality of how things end up in spite of how they were planned.
I love the Christmas story found in Luke, but verse six mystifies me. It is the same in most of the translations, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born…” While they were there? It sounds like an aside, an “oh, by the way…” type of comment. This thing we knew was going to happen, that we were planning for and praying about, the most important event in the history of mankind, the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, it merely occurred “while they were there”. And the timing was bad. And they had no place to stay. And repeatedly angels had to warn people to not be afraid.
“Oh, by the way,” my guests have told me occasionally, “there is no toilet paper in the guest bathroom.”
“Oh, by the way, the kitchen sink is clogged.” “The dog threw up under the Christmas tree.” “There’s no more coffee.” “We’re calling an ambulance your dad’s having a stroke.”
Life’s asides. Stage whispers you must hear and respond to in order to understand the story. To this modern ear, Mary and Joseph sound unprepared and unready, not properly planned. No place to stay? No hospital? While they were there?
Life’s asides are not outside the understanding and love and care of God. He was ready. His plans were perfect. Jesus was born in Bethlehem as prophesied, check. Born to a virgin, check. Cue the angels and shepherds. Bring on the Wisemen with presents. Easy? Comfortable? Convenient? No. But planned for and taken care of, YES! While they were there, the Savior of the world entered the earth he had created and every detail went according to God’s plan.
Oh, by the way, while you journey to Christmas, while you are there, remember that the changes to your plans and planners may be the very best Christmas gift you receive this year.
If you find yourself in need of a quick treat for people that just happen to drop in, here is a family favorite that calls for ingredients often found in kitchen pantries.
Peanut Butter Fingers
Cream together the following, either by hand or in electric mixer:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Blend In:
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Stir in:
- 1 cup Gold Medal Flour
- 1 cup whole oats
Spread mixture in greased 13X9″ pan, bake at 350* for 20 minutes. Do not over bake, bars should be set but not dark at the edges.
While it bakes, stir together:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 4-6 Tbsp milk
Remove bars from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips(about 1 cup, but add as many as you desire). As the chips melt, spoon the peanut butter frosting over the melting chips and spread with a knife. One of my daughters does not like the added peanut butter frosting, so often we leave one end of the pan with only the chocolate chips!
