Category Archives: Scriptures

Michal: Early Life and Traditions

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The younger daughter of King Saul and his wife, Ahinoam, was born during a time of war and political change. They named their daughter Michal.

There’s a debate of what the name “Michal” means.

  • The first possible meaning is “Who is like God.” If this is the case, her name would be a feminine form of the boy name “Michael” and a possible variant of her name would be “Michelle.”
  • The other possible meaning is “little stream. ” This is also spiritual in nature as the Bible connects streams to God’s creations and powers. The name “Michal” is one of the most popular baby names for girls in Israel today.Huge picWilliam-Adolphe_Bouguereau_(1825-1905)_-_At_the_Edge_of_the_Brook_(1875)While we don’t know much about her childhood, there are definite things she would have learned from a young age.

Michal’s Education

  • Virtuous, Israelite Woman: A woman in Israel would know the importance of loving and obeying God. Michal was fortunate that she and her family had close connections to the prophet Samuel. She would have learned to be a dutiful wife who was expected to give her husband children.
  • Benjaminite: The small tribe of Benjamin had an interesting reputation among the other tribes of Israel .They were loyal and fierce fighters to the very end despite being small in numbers. The tribe had close calls when it came to being extinct but they would make a comeback. Benjaminite parents taught their children to be proud of their heritage.
  • Princess: The public would expect the best from the royal family. Michal would have been taught how to deal with crowds—how to charm them and when to ignore people. Her father had been especially good at that in his early days as king. At the end of one of his speeches, Samuel backed him up. The people shouted “God save the king.” There were those, though, who doubted Saul’s ability to protect them, but Saul, “held his peace”. He went on to defeat enemies, and more people accepted him gladly as king.

It’s important to remember that Saul’s early glory days were admirable. Very soon after we’re introduced to Saul, we know Saul was the most righteous man in Israel and a die-hard Benjaminite.Right after Samuel anointed Saul as the Lord’s chosen one, he gave further instructions for Saul to go to Rachel’s sepulcher. That was Saul’s first stop on a literal journey to gain followers that led to national victories.

Rachel’s sepulcher held significance to Israel, but it was most sentimental to the tribe of Benjamin. It illustrates the bravery the tribe of Benjamin value and a good role model—especially for Michal.

The Story of Rachel and Jacob

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Jacob (later called Israel) had traveled far. As he came to the well, he asked the men if they knew Laban, whom he was seeking. The men said yes and pointed out Laban’s beautiful daughter, Rachel, approaching the well with the sheep. Rejuvenated, Jacob opened the mouth of the well and watered the sheep under Rachel’s care. It seemed as if it was love at first sight. He kissed her and the shepherdess went running to her father.

After discussion, a deal was struck. After Jacob labored for seven years under Laban, he would marry Rachel. Jacob said, “I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.”  Laban agreed and said, “It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man.” For Jacob seven years felt like “a few days, for the love he had for her.”

But that Laban was slick. Seven years later. When the time came for the marriage, he swapped Rachel for her elder sister Leah on the wedding night. When Jacob confronted his father-in-law the next morning, Laban said in his country it was tradition to marry the older women first. But Laban hastily added, Jacob could also marry Rachel the following week if he worked seven more additional years.

Jacob paid double the bride price, but “he loved Rachel more than Leah.”

In Old Testament stories that mention love between two people, only one individual is said to love the other. It’s not necessarily unrequited love.   In the case of Rachel and Jacob, we’re told how Jacob loved Rachel, but not if she loved him. But judging but her devotion to him, we can assume she did.  We know Leah pined for Jacob. After she gave Jacob his first son, she said, “Now therefore my husband will love me.”

Again we can assume that Leah also loved Jacob—and yet—there’s no direct mention of her actually loving Jacob.

Jacob cared and provided for his wives and children. Rachel, though, would always hold the most special place in his heart despite Leah giving him six sons and Rachel giving him two sons.

Rachel displayed bravery as she traveled pregnant and went into labor. It was a “hard labour.” The baby lived but she did not. In his grief, Jacob set up a pillar in tribute to Rachel and named the baby “Benjamin.”

Benjamin surviving was a miracle. His mother Rachel was a hero to his descendants. Though Michal probably liked this story, she couldn’t have expected just how much she would relate to the well-remembered matriarch.

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Sources:
1 Samuel 9-11, 14
Genesis 29, 35

http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Michal.html#.VZ_sUubJCUk

http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/streams/

http://babynames.allparenting.com/babynames/Popular/Popular_baby_names_in_Israel/

Images:
At the Edge of the Brook by William-Adolphe Bouguereau
The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel by William Dyce

Michal:Trail of Tears

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The princess was going back to her beloved prince. It should have been a fairytale ending. But real stories with real princesses and princes seldom do.

In this case, the woman was being led back to her husband she was separated from for nearly two decades. In back of her, her other husband was “weeping”.

Finally the man leading the entourage addressed the weeping man. It’s a short passage:

“Go, return. And he returned.”

Michal couldn’t turn back though. She needed to go forward and gather more courage than ever.

She had experienced fearful situations. But was she fully prepared for the terrors that awaited her?

72px-Rose_of_sharon_Icon.svgNotes and Sources:
2 Samuel 3
Image: Abner sends Michal back to David from Maciejowski Bible (Morgan Bible)

 

Summer’s Story: Princess Michal, Wife of King David and Daughter of King Saul

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I’ve been prompted to repost lots of past articles about the biblical princess Michal with some additions. Part of it has to do with recent stories of runaway princesses. My heart goes out to them. Princesses like Michal would know more about the pain of their flights.

So what’s the story of Michal? Here’s the basic rundown:

She married David, saved his life, and her father married her to another man faraway. Nearly twenty years later she came back to her first husband’s home.

While we don’t know exactly what happened to her during those two decades, we know what she came back to: her first husband, now king, plus his wives and kids. A very big blow.

Then her last appearance occurs when she and David have a public spat over his actions when he brought the sacred Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem.

Commentators have taken different sides. Some have smeared her image while others have elevated it. The princess had many enemies and allies during both her life and after her death.

These are some of the insights we’ll review:

  • What the Bible says—and doesn’t say—about her.
  • Common princess problems.
  • Portrayals of her, including those on primetime TV.
  • Events in the past, her times, and future.
  • Possible psychological effects.

This summer, I hope you will get to know the real Michal.

Stay tune!

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Biblicial Heroines Vashti and Esther: Court Life Has Always Been Controversial and Cruel

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Royals. Love them or hate them-they’re an enigma. Tons of debate about their behavior, clothes, and marital problems have been present in the tabloids for years. The Bible also includes royal gossip–and its damages. Here are some of my thoughts about the decisions of the biblical queens Vashti and Esther.

Vashti

Vashti Refuses the King's Summons, painting by Edwin Long

Vashti set a good example by not appearing to the king and his fellow drinking buddies

 

As a girl, I would have to squint my eyes a lot.
I still do.

I found myself squinting when hearing people tell the story of Esther:
“It starts out with a wicked queen.”

Okay…so I looked it up. The Bible doesn’t refer to Queen Vashti as wicked. This is what happened…

There’s a party, and Queen Vashti doesn’t come before her husband when he orders her. His male guests have been drunk for “many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.”  Plus some scholars think that the king just wanted her to come with nothing but her crown on.

So Vashti doesn’t come. A dangerous thing to do, but think about it. What perverted thing was likely to happen if she had come—appearing undressed—to a party full of drunk men?

Enter villains: The king (a quasi-villain and weak character) with his advisers—the( not-so) “wise men.”

According to them:

“Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all princes and to all the people that are in the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.

For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes…likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.”

Faced with an unfair request, Vashti had to chose between losing her dignity or losing her life.

Faced with an unfair request, Vashti had to chose between losing her dignity or losing her life.

The men felt threatened by women. They felt that Vashti set an example for women—women could stand up to their husbands. Vashti was deposed as queen; Rabbi David Eldensohn believes she was killed.

It didn’t matter what Vashti did. I don’t mean for the following comment to be irreverent but whatever decision Vashti made, she was—in one way or another—going to get screwed.

Showing up (possibly with no clothes) in front of men who were drunk for  months—something was bound to happen. No parent would want their child to go to a party like that.

( Please watch Pastor Mark Driscoll’s heartwarming take on Vashti’s decision.  🙂 )

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Esther

Queen Esther by Edwin Long

Esther mustered up the courage to do things she was inclined, yet scared to do.

The advisers told the king to gather virgins throughout the land and add them to his harem. The king was “pleased” with this idea. (Perverted.)

So Esther now is chosen as Queen. When I first started noticing Vashti’s situation, I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed with Esther. In the Old Testament, time and time again, they stress the importance of Israelites marrying in the Covenant. Esther did not. She married a man who didn’t even share her same standards.

I had a change of heart, however, when driving home one night. My mind wandered about the queens and princesses blog posts. I thought of how long I procrastinated bringing up Vashti and Esther. I thought of Catherine of Braganza and a comment by her biographer, Lillias Campbell Davidson, who said Catherine “lived in her husband’s court as Lot lived in Sodom.”  I to thought myself, “No, Catherine lived in here husband’s court as Esther lived in her husband’s court.”

Queen Esther and Queen Catherine of Braganza both had similar, selfless agendas

Like Queen Esther,  Queen Catherine of Braganza also had an  agenda to save lives

Two religious queens living in an immoral court for the sake of protecting their nations. It’s not totally right, but in a way it is noble.

The Jews were relying on Esther to stay queen so they could survive. But she had to find ways to survive if she was going to save their lives.

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What would you do if your nation was in danger? If marriage was an option over bloodshed, would you marry even a fool?

Fortunately for Esther, she wasn’t ordered to appear in front of people indecent, and remembered her faith

The other woman in the story, Vashti, was asked to do something where her actions would most likely lead to death or sexual assault.

Examining their specific circumstances, we see both women were put in unfair situations. Their behavior was examined during their lifetimes and continues thousands of years later. Read the Book of Esther and see if you don’t agree with me. Keep in mind the queens’ specific situations and outcomes. Both queens were faced with decisions that no one should ever have to make. If you were in either of their place, what would you have done?

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Sources:
The Book of Esther

Persian Queen Vashti is Killed 2500 years ago – The first feminism? (video)

Vashti made a noble, courageous, brave, moral decision (video)

http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclopedia/2381/

Images:
Queen Vashti Deposed by Ernest Normand
Vashti refuses the King’s Summons by Edwin Long
Queen Esther by Edwin Long
Catherine of Braganza by Jacob Huysman

 

Women Present at the Death and Resurrection of Christ

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Throughout His life, it was clear that Jesus cared for women and they cared for Him. As His death was approaching, we read of women who were standing up for Him and ready to attend to His needs.

If a good woman nowadays could travel back to that point, I think she’d be supportive and proud of these women.

These women were risk takers. You had to be brave if you chose to associate yourself with Jesus. And some were willing to stay with Him to the very end.

The Cross

While Jesus was on the cross, “many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him.”

Jesus  paid special attention to Mary, his mother, while He was on the cross. He addressed his mother and told his apostle John to care and take her away to safety.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple [John] standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26-27)

Mary Magdalene’s name shows up  in all gospel accounts at being present during these dramatic events. The gospels named and described some further women.

According to Matthew: “Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.”  (The mother of Zebedee’s is John’s mother. John, the beloved and the one who brought Jesus’ mother to safety.)
Mark said, “Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome….and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.”  
John added, “his [Jesus’] mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas.” The women who were identified were close or related to Jesus or his apostles; it’s a very moving.
Also, the “many women” and “many other women” mention is extraordinary! 

The Tomb

Most of those identified women are mentioned again when they traveled to the tomb and had “prepared ointments and spice,” for the body of Jesus.

A very special moment occurred on the first day of the week, when Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” went back to the tomb with spices to discover it’s empty but angels were there  who tell them exciting news:

“Why see the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”

These two Marys plus a Joanna and “the other women that were with them” reported to the apostles who at first didn’t believe them.  But Peter and John went back with Mary Magdalene to see the tomb was empty.

The Resurrection

After Peter and John left, Mary Magdalene stayed.

And Jesus appeared to her.

Jesus didn’t go to the apostles first– “he appeared first to Mary Magdalene” who reported back to some still doubting disciples.

Women played an active part in the Easter story. They tried to protect Jesus, and he acknowledged them and their importance. There were those who were identified, but there were may other women also ready to help.  This episode in the Bible demonstrate how much women are valued by Jesus Christ.

Bonus video
Produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

References:
Matthew 27 and 28
Mark 15 and 16
Luke 23 and 24
John 19 and 20

Further reading:
Mary Magdalene–Tower of Strength

Images:
La Madeleine painting by Pierre Subleyras

The Three Marys at the Tomb painting by Mikołaj Haberschrack, 15th century

The Resurrection Day, after Heinrich Hofmann, published on Bible card; found http://thebiblerevival.com/clipart27.htm

 

Pilate’s Wife: She Tried to Intervene For Jesus

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“What is truth?”

Pilate asked Jesus that question. It’s a very appropriate one because of the confusion going on at that time. Within the last day and a half, Jesus had suffered for the sins of the world in Gethsemane which would have killed anyone else. He was betrayed, denied, and left alone by friends. He was moved from court to court being questioned by the Jewish and Roman officials for hours. Any other person would have cracked under such circumstances. But there he stood poised. What was going on? It’s no surprise Pilate “Marvelled greatly.”

Pilate’s wife probably shared those views and worries. She must have struggled with the question “What is truth?” That question—or something similar—likely hovered over her head. Somehow she knew some important truths and was brave enough to step forward. As her husband deliberated, she tried to intervene on Jesus’ behalf.

Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Message_of_Pilate's_Wife._Pilate_-_James_Tissot

When he [Pilate] was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

800px-The_dream_of_Pilate's_wife_by_Alphonse_François

As I have pondered that verse, one word sticks out.

Just.

But Pilate was persuaded by Jewish leaders to release a robber in place of Jesus , and put Jesus to death through crucifixion. Even after the declared death sentence, Pilate still tried to convince the people not to crucify him.

He tried to prolong it and did remember the words of his wife. He said to the crowds, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person”

Though Pilate’s wife was no Martha or Mary in describing the divinity of Christ, she knew he was an extraordinary man who was innocent of all the accusations. She was not one of the women who saw the resurrected Lord, but she also had to be brave to face the future.

Ecce_homo_by_Antonio_Ciseri_(2)

A few years later, Pilate’s career plummeted, and she might have been alive when it’s thought he committed suicide. What happened to her?  She had been married to a man that Jews and Romans didn’t respect. Did she feel shame? Did she survive?

Some believe her to be Claudia, a converted Christian, mentioned in 2 Timothy. Romans were weary of Christianity and perhaps early Christians viewed her with suspicions. It would have been a dangerous life.

She was brave in her attempt to intervene for Jesus. In that way, I feel like she could be counted among the women who made sacrifices to champion Him.  I can’t help but think of a James E. Talmage quote:

“The greatest champion of women and womanhood is Jesus Christ.”

She knew little about Jesus Christ, but she was brave in sharing what she knew as truth.

 

(Click here to view a video that gives an overview of Gethsemane, Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, and Resurrection entitled “He is Risen: John the Beloved’s Witness of the Resurrection”)

Sources
Matthew 27
John 18
http://www.womeninthescriptures.com/2009/05/pontius-pilates-wife.html
The Illegal Trial of Christ by Steven W. Allen
2 Timothy 4

Images:
The Message of Pilate’s Wife. by James Tissot
The Dream of Pilate’s Wife by Alphonse Francois
Ecce Homo by Antonio Ciseri

 

 

Mary and Martha, Sisters of Bethany

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Jesus had made certain preparations to enter while he was in Bethany. While there, he raised Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, from the dead.

The family of three had already had encounters with Jesus.
He praised Mary for her choices and comforted Martha about the many things she felt she needed to do.

Johannes_(Jan)_Vermeer_-_Christ_in_the_House_of_Martha_and_Mary_-_Google_Art_Project

Jesus comforted Martha and Mary  again at the time of Lazarus’ death. He also talked about his upcoming death and resurrection. He said to Martha:

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

And then Martha responded:

“Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

Keep in mind, she said this before Lazarus rose from the dead. She wasn’t aware he would perform the miracle. She and Mary both had testimonies and a love for Jesus. And “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister [Mary], and Lazarus.”

Jesus shared their grief. They cried, and “Jesus wept.”

Four days after, Jesus called, “Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.”

This miracle strengthened the faith of those who already believed and hopefully those who were impressed would study and pray more of Jesus’ teachings. There were those, though, who didn’t share in the happiness at all.

They were the ones who went to the Pharisees. “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation…then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.”

While others were plotting Jesus’ death, he was preparing for it. He and his apostles spent time pondering in the wilderness and he purified the temple. Jesus came back to Bethany six days before Passover. “Martha served.” “Lazarus…sat at the table with him,” and Mary “anointed the feet of Jesus.”Legend_of_Sts._Mary_and_Martha_(detail) These acts of the three siblings were examples of their dedication—though Judas Iscariot was critical of Mary’s sacrifice, saying she should have saved expensive ointments for the poor (in reality, he was ready to put the spices in his bag for himself). Jesus told him “to let her alone” and gave a lesson about sacrifices and the poor. This teaching moment also included that men need to respect women.

Jesus was grateful for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. His stay in their town would strengthen him for the week to come. While in Bethany, Jesus had disciples get a donkey that had never been sat on so he could enter Jerusalem. The Son of God would enter not as a worldly king who would enter a city on a horse (which sometimes symbolizes war), but a king that would offer hope. Jesus was the “prince of Peace.”

As Jesus entered the city, people “took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him” and like Martha, knew His importance. “When citizens heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they “cried Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Many Jews and even other people of different nations came to worship Him. Others were still plotting. Jesus would continue to teach, perform miracles and show he loved all his children.

Sources:
Luke 10; John 11; John 12; Luke 19; Mark 11; Matthew 21

 

Paintings:
“Christ in the House of Martha and Mary” by Johannes Vermeer
“Raising of Lazarus” by Carl Bloch
“…Of Saints Mary and Martha” Creator: Mast of the Wielowies Tripych

 

Anna, the Prophetess

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Anna the Prophetess

Who?

She lost her husband when she was young. She had been married for less than ten years. When we meet Anna in the second chapter of Luke, she’s an elderly widow of many years.How did she go on with life? But she did her best and served at the temple. She and another person 720px-Rembrandt_Harmensz._van_Rijn_056 (2)named Simeon recognized that the baby Mary and Joseph brought to the temple was Jesus. The baby would someday be the Savior of mankind.

 

I first learned about Anna when my mom was playing a new Christmas song at the piano. She was putting music to a poem written by our friend, Sally Wise.

Sally writes of Anna:

She came to the temple,
Anna the faithful.
She was old and wise, she fasted and she prayed.
When she beheld the baby, her heart was filled with joy.
She gave thanks and spoke of Him, Savior to all men.
She knew, she knew, she knew her Savior.

The Substance of Hope copyright of Elsbeth YoungAnna is a significant person in the Christmas story because she is another witness that Jesus had indeed been born. We need to pay attention to her.

She had gone through a lot while remaining faithful to the Lord. She knew the real meaning of “good tidings of great joy” and peace, and we can as well.  We probably all know Annas who endure while seeing the good in life.

Sally ends her poem by showing how we can be like Anna and Simeon:

At this Christmas season,
I will remember
The birth of Christ our Savior, the babe of Bethlehem.
As I read the scriptures I can feel His warmth.
And I know He lives today, Savior to all men.
I know, I know, I know my Savior.

References:
Luke 2
“They Came to the Temple” by Sally Wise
Images:
Featured and second image in post: The Substance of Hope found on alyoung.com. Copyright by Elsbeth Young.  All Rights Reserved.  Courtesy of Al Young Studios.
Simeon in the Temple by Rembrandt

Angels and Shepherds Sharing the News

Christmas, Scriptures, , , ,

The night started like any other night. It was business as usual. Watching their flocks.Whatever was on the shepherds’ minds, nothing couldn’t fully prepare for them for an angelshepherds-see-new-star-39535-gallery (1)
 and how “the glory of the Lord shone round about them.” Of course they got scared.
And of course the angel had to speak the same words he spoke to everyone in this story.

“Fear not.”

Since it’s repeated so many times, it’s worth thinking about. Especially in the case of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The angel declared:

 “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

This news was exciting! After the angel said, “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger,” the angel was joined by a heavenly host of angels, who also stressed how important we should not fear, but rejoice that the Son of God had come to earth!

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“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

I imagine there were many angels–maybe more than 1000. I wished I had witnessed that night with the shepherds, but I got a peek when I was among the 1000 angels in this video–

The shepherds dropped what they were doing and “came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”

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I’m sure there was a sense of peace and reverence  in the stable. After the shepherds witnessed the  miracle, they told others the good news. Perhaps the shepherds rushed into the town of Bethlehem, and maybe an innkeeper or two heard it. Everyone who did, were in awe at the shepherds’ message.

Even after sharing what they had seen in the stable, they were still “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.”

It seems like the shepherds never forgot that piercing night. It’s a night we should remember too.

Coming soon: an account of being an angel, more nativity figures, and a Christmas story that captures the spirit of Christmas.

 

References:
Luke 2

Images:
“Annunciation to the Shepherds” by Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp
The Announcement of Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds, by Del Parson from lds.com
Illustration from Alden’sbook  Prince of Peace
Savior of the World rehearsal lds.com
“The adoration of Shepherds” byGerard van Honthorst

Each of Us Is An Innkeeper

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“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” ~Luke 2:7

Traveling with a pregnant women can be scary. Imagine Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Perhaps they traveled in a caravan for some parts of the journey, made quite a few stops, and lagged behind. And when they finally arrived in Bethlehem, it took time to find a place to stay. The inns were full.

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Just how significant is the innkeeper in the story?

When the Robertsons put on the Christmas play last year, Jep Robertson insisted it was an “important role…if the innkeeper hadn’t turned them down, you see’d this entire play in a hotel room.”

In all seriousness, though, did the innkeeper regret turning away a pregnant woman ? Did the innkeeper suspect Mary was carrying the King of Kings? Someone told me, “I bet all the innkeepers are kicking themselves  right now.”

Joseph must have been really bargaining. I heard a theory that he might have even helped build the manger. Whatever the case, Mary and Joseph arrived in the stable. Soon Jesus was born, and Mary laid Jesus in a manger.new-era-2010-december-cover-749909-gallery

Jep reflected more about the innkeeper and related the role back to Mary and Joseph. How it must have taken a lot of faith on their part. After all, they didn’t have the internet or phones. Couldn’t make reservations.Though they were turned away from the inn, they found a place to stay. I wonder how they reacted to the prospect of staying in a stable? Yet the birth itself was “good tidings of great joy.” Soon afterwards, the stable would get special visitors who had easier access to a stable rather than an inn. So that was a blessing.

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But how is the innkeeper relevant to us? Elder Neal A. Maxwell pointed out, “Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” I’ve been thinking about that statement a lot. What’s your take?

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Luke 2
All images from lds.org–Media library : https://www.lds.org/media-library