And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke 2:8-15

God could have easily booked the finest palace for Jesus to be born in. He could have picked a different time of year for Mary to be pregnant and give birth, but instead it probably couldn’t have landed at a busier time with the census taking place. It seems so irrational that the God of the universe would allow His Son to be born in a smelly dirty animal stable. His bed a manger–really? Talk about unsanitary!

God didn’t just let this event haphazardly happen. This wasn’t an oops! No, God planned it this way! And He was beside Himself with excitement over His Son’s birth! The who. The what. The when. The how. The where. It was all part of God’s elaborate plan. He was one proud Papa! And like proud parents who post signs in their yards when a baby is born, God set His sign out too, a star ⭐️ in the sky over Bethlehem (Matthew 2:2). He sent his angels to declare the big news to lowly shepherds. Common shepherds were on God’s A-list!

It all seems so audacious!

But then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

My heart is a stable.

My heart is a stinky, filthy, unsanitary—sinful stable. Such an unlikely place for a King to dwell.

Yet He chose to take up residence in me! And this time, He came to stay!

See, that’s the whole point of the Christmas story!

Jesus came to earth and was born in a lowly stable. He died on a cross and three days later rose again so that He could permanently dwell in the “stables” of human hearts! The who, what, when, how, and where! It wasn’t haphazard or accidental.

THAT was God’s ultimate perfect plan!

Talk about excited!!!

God gets so excited when His children open up the stables of their hearts and allow His precious Son to dwell there!

The angels still rejoice!

Luke 15:10

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

He still puts out His sign ⭐️!

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

“He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

He still dwells in stables—the stables of our hearts!

2 Corinthians 4:6

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

Audacious? Yes! Irrational? Very! But aren’t you so glad our God prefers stables?

I sure am!