The Good Room

Every place in town has hung out its no vacancy sign and Mary is left to rest her weary body in the luxurious lodging of a barn. (His wife is as big as a house with child and old Joe doesn’t have the foresight to book a room?) By this time you can just bet Mary isn’t worrying about the ‘good’ labor room. She ‘d be thrilled if God would simply hold that baby at bay until she could get back to the comfort of her own home, with her midwife … and no livestock … by her side.

But, as is often the case, God’s unusual plan prevails, and the Christ child arrives with more four-legged creatures in attendance than two. And God has a way of reminding this writer that burnt coffee cake and insufficient wrapping paper are a mere distraction to the utterly beautiful and simple season that began with the most unadorned childbirth ever known … and I for one am filled with joy, gratitude and awe.