This wasn't an ordinary donkey

I was looking for it everywhere… while decorating my mother-in-law's house for Christmas. The nativity set that I knew she treasured dearly.

I had already made sure her favorite little angel boy and angel girl ornaments were hung on the tree – they represented my children, her grandchildren, and that was a must.

But I was still perplexed about where her absolute favorite Christmas decoration was – the Crèche manger that my husband, her son, made in his childhood. Where, oh where could it be?

I had searched for it several times before… in closets, in drawers… in cabinets. In my spirit, I prayed, "Lord, let me find it!"

Finally, in a closet with the vacuum cleaner, a few shoe boxes down, I opened a lid – and exclaimed to myself, "There it is!" The figurines in the box didn't seem to notice I had found them, along with a piece of purple velvet and wooden slats of paneling. I recognized the paneling from the basement walls in the house– so that's the wood my husband's eight or so-year-old hands used to build this! I chuckled.

I brought the box over to the table she ALWAYS set it on. I cleared the photo albums away and dusted the tabletop to get ready for this treasured thing. First, the crèche – I texted my husband and told him, number one, I found his manger scene, and number two, he might need to do a little repair work so that the baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph could remain dry. Perhaps there would be inclement weather while they waited for Christmas. He texted back a big exclamation mark !! Emoji, also reminding me it wasn't about the place but about the baby.

I set up the back piece of wood, made a sort of lean-to roof, and used side pieces as little poles to hold the roof just so. It was rickety, but it worked, and I thought it would be sufficient to shelter Mary, Joseph, and the baby. Next, I lay the hay on the floor, put Mary and Joseph inside, and, of course, Baby Jesus. Then I worked the piece of velvet around the stall and thought of how my mother-in-law treasured it so much that she chose the most royal of colors – purple. It was beautiful. Then came the wise men, they were wise and old, time had weathered them. 

Finally, the animals. A little sheep, a cow, and a collie dog. A collie dog? Really – ok, well, I sure didn't have a dog in my nativity set back home. I thought of the Lassie show that ran in the sixties and wondered if it had an influence. Or maybe my husband just added the dog to the animals. I shrugged and smiled as I placed him around – I am sure he was a curious fellow, anxious to see the babe.

Lastly, I picked up the donkey. This wasn't any ordinary donkey. This donkey had been loved so much that his ears had fallen off! No ears! In my mind, I imagined ways this donkey had come to this demise. A vision of my eight-year-old husband hitching it to a wagon that later crashed came to mind. But, I really don't know.

But then, silently, that still voice inside that I had prayed to earlier said, "Do you feel broken, in some way this year, like this donkey?"

I had to admit, the answer was yes. But I continued, in my mind, questioning, just like a child.

But this donkey that had been in service to you, Lord. He had traveled so far carrying pregnant Mary. He had braved the cold-hearted days of Herod. Why does this donkey have to have broken ears?"

"Yes, and I understand why you might be questioning my purposes. And you might feel broken some days, or maybe not good enough to enter the manger scene."

"Yes, Lord. I do."

"Well, you come anyway through your brokenness. I will make good use of it while shining my light on you and on others who receive me just as they are."

Suddenly, this sweet, broken manger scene became the absolute best Christmas gift ever. I set the donkey down in his place and rested for a minute. I smiled as I pondered what this little baby did for all humanity. Peace settled in my heart, and like a broken-eared donkey, I realized we are all invited to the manger scene. To be in service for the King.

Merry Christmas, everyone!