Simply Rest

 "Slow down. Stay in control."

These are the words posted above the highway cautioning drivers with regard to speed.  And it's  not simply about driving habits.  We drive fast, work hard, live at top speed.  When do we rest?  Would we even recognize what that looks like?

Then comes Christmas and a season that invokes a frenzied, time consuming race that includes more buying, more planning and the culmination of everything crammed into the one day.  And this often includes additional church services. 

The Christmas story on the surface appears to include many similar activities.  Travel, gifts, songs and celebration.  At least this is how a large part of the world shares in the celebratory holiday referred to as Christmas. Those who make the time read Advent books or follow daily online prompts will tell you there is more to the story.  And there is. Pick up your Bible and read the account and you will find the variety of detail which you will  find acted out in many a church auditorium.

"And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger, "- Luke 2:7

When you read the story and hear the sermon, emphasis is always placed on the humble building of which the Savior is born.  Where the King of Kings lies upon the sweet smelling hay of a feeding trough.  For a moment I would like to suggest another detail of the narrative.  The animals. The stable was the resting place for the animals.  And while it is explained time and time again that "no room in the inn" meant that the firstborn of Mary, the Son of God was given a lowly stable to lay his head...think about the other characters who rested overnight in the same location.  This is where they came to roost and rest each evening from their labor.

We are commanded to do the same thing.  Rest. 

We do not take rest in ourselves. Often there are still numerous distractions that fill our mind even as we lay our head upon our pillow.  We are told to come.  To come and join Christ in rest. It is not the rest of sleep nor is it the rest from activity.  It is the laying down beside, alongside the Saviour and simply being in his presence.  Nothing more is needed. 

Maybe it's time to set the story straight.

We exchange gifts because the Wisemen brought gifts.

We sing songs because that's what the angels did.

We go to church and repeat the story year after year. A well rehearsed version of the original.  There isn't a whole lot mentioned about rest because we are too busy getting on with Christmas.  We've turned Christmas into another item to check off on our list. Instead of checking out I need to check in.

Maybe I'm writing all this because I need rest. I'm the one who needs to slow down.  Anyone else?

"Be still, and know that I am God."-Psalm 46:10