The Story is Simple
written by: Dr. Mandy Fessenden Brauer
An all-knowing God in His celestial realm always looks to see His creation.
Does He wonder what happened to His greatest gifts, to those He is said
to have created in His image, His own perfect image?
Was it He who decided to provide us with such a humble, heartwarming story,
one suitable for people everywhere, this beautiful metaphor filled with meaning,
shared through the ages?
The story is simple: a babe is born. We can all relate to the miracle of that infant,
born innocent, pure, untainted by all of mankind’s failures, most of all, untouched
by our own mistakes.
Once upon a time . . . written because it sounds like a timeless beginning . . .
once upon a time, a woman riding on a donkey appears. Some say this woman,
heavy with child, is unwed. Does it matter?
With her is a man who loves her, cares for her, and protects her on this journey.
Some say this kindly man is either father to the unborn child or chooses to raise
another man’s child. To him, it does not matter.
They stop at a country inn where there is no room. There is often no room for us
where we want to be either. The couple go into the stable where the woman in
labor wraps her arms around a tree, a birthing tree.
A brilliant star shines. Stars always shine. We seldom look up, but others do.
Strangers follow the star to the stable, bringing gifts to the infant, perhaps
sustenance for the little family.
The woman’s breasts overflow with warm milk, and the infant reaches up
to touch her soft flesh. Then, He reaches higher. His tiny hands play with
the angels. Maybe He laughs.
It is peaceful in the stable. When the beneficent visitors leave, the child sleeps.
The mooing of cows and the bleating of goats create a joyous symphony.
Does He hear? Can we?
When this familiar story is recited again and again, it soothes and inspires.
We are moved beyond ourselves to think anew of this precious newborn.
But what meaning do we find?
That unwed mother, forgiven by the man who loves her and who wants to raise
the child, is our flawed selves. Whom among us is to cast the first stone? Who
does not cast them at ourselves? Who forgives us?
The stable and manger remind us there’s no room in the inn for us either and
helps us realize that on this small earth we truly are all the same: rich or poor,
dark or light, there’s often no room for us to be where we want to be. Be humble.
The birthing tree, which the woman clutched while giving birth, connects us
all to the earth. Without nature all around, the little family in the stable would
not be able to survive. Nor would we. We must take care.
A star, the sun, is our beginning and will be our ending. Ancient wisdom
and modern, tell us the dust of stars breathed life into us, tying us all to each other
and to nature, now and forever more.
Strangers bringing treasures to the Holy infant, gold and myrrh, gifts not sought,
remind us to share what we can, and to be thankful for the generosity
of others, for those true gifts not sought but needed.
The Holy family flees to Egypt, safe in that distant but welcoming land.
Whether we step outside the front door to look or to venture far beyond
our comfort zone and cross the vast planet itself, it is a journey we all must take.
We can only hope we can follow in their footsteps.
- The Story is Simple - January 6, 2025
