"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child..." (Luke 2:4-5 NASB) "...And Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written. 'Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold your King comes sitting on a donkey's colt'..." (John 12:14-15 NASB)
I have been reading a book lately called 'Flash', about a stray, homeless donkey who was adopted by a family, and the lessons God taught the family using this creature. (written by Rachel Anne Ridge, if you are interested in reading it) So, as I began to mediate on the Christmas Story this year, in order to decide which text to write about, my mind naturally turned to donkeys.
Although considered the least among the Equidae family of animals, God honored these creatures in the life of His Son, by allowing them to transport Him in his early years and during His Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem. Now, the Scriptures do not actually state in any of the canonical gospels that Mary rode on a donkey, although it has been shown to be that way in every picture where the Holy family is ever depicted... So where did this idea come from? In my search for this I found that it probably originated from an extrabiblical book called The Protoevangelium of James, and apocryphal gospel probably written about AD 145, which says that Joseph used a donkey to bring Mary to Bethlehem... and the tradition probably came from there:
" The day of the Lord shall itself bring it to pass as the Lord will. And he saddled the ass, and set her upon it; and his son led it, and Joseph followed. Protoevangelium of James:17"
It has probably remained as a tradition because it is so probable, given the means of transportation during that time period and the fact that Mary, being pregnant, would have found it hard to walk the 70-80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. So we have never questioned it, accepting it as truth. We do know for a fact, however, that Jesus chose the lowly donkey, or ass as they are also called, to carry him during his Triumphal entrance into Jerusalem; not a horse, or steed as they are known, which is a symbol of strength and pride, but a donkey--lowly, humble, and regarded as an everyday useful being.
I find it interesting that God chose to honor the humble one in this way. Yes, it showed the truth that He himself, was humble and lowly in mind --not given to show or grasping at power. But He chose to use an everyday being to do so; an animal that we normally would only use for a pack animal, to carry our burdens on the back of. And here was Jesus, coming that first Christmas Day, and again, later entering Jerusalem--as the One to carry our burdens---to pay the price for our Sin. He Himself is our burden bearer--and He is not ashamed to be associated with the lowly and humble of heart; with those despised and looked down upon by the more impressive members of the family. He not only loves them--he honors them by giving them important roles in his mission to save mankind. Though never acknowledged by others as having any importance, they can be assured that their Lord Himself has placed them where they are and values their contribution to His great Cause.
My mind goes especially to the hidden ones that no one thinks of or sees---the prayer warriors and intercessors who carry the burden of all of us on their hearts and who lift us up before the throne of God. They do not hold a visible role; one that might impress the world. But they are vital; vital in the battle of Good vs. Evil, of Right vs. wrong, of God vs. the devil--and they are placed exactly where they are, in the hidden places, alone with their Lord--"FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS..." (Esther 4:14) They are the lowly donkeys of the Lord--still carrying Him into people's spiritual births, into people's battles, into His Triumph in the lives of men and women everywhere. They carry Him to us in their prayers. Yes, it is the Holy Spirit that brings Him to us--but in a unique and wonderful way--he comes to us on the prayers of--on the backs of (or shall we say the knees of) these intercessors. We need them in this battle. In Jesus' Day there was an old widow named Anna, who lived her life, hidden away in the Temple and at 84 was still serving the Lord by praying & fasting...(Luke 2:36-37)She was one of the Lord's spiritual donkey's. She interceded for Israel, until God finally answered, by bringing us the Kingdom, in Jesus...
2020 has been a horrendous year for all of us--in every nation. I will not dwell on it all, as you have lived it and know what I mean. If you are on this list to get these Christmas Letters, you can be assured that you and your burdens are on my other list--my prayer list--as well--and are being prayed for by me--all of you--at least once a month. Prayer is a vital aspect of our Christian lives. I am witness to the power of prayer, as I was brought out of darkness into God's wonderful Light through someone else's prayers for me, many years ago. And I hope you will choose this year to join God's Intercessors and begin lifting up those around you in prayer as well. Bear their burdens before God's throne, then watch and see what God will do. 2021, is upon us--and every day we are closer to the Lord's return--to his Kingdom coming to "Earth as it is in Heaven".
Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
Love in Christ,
Joann
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