The Barn

So many things happen in a barn, traditionally it’s a place to house farm animals, and their food and supplies needed to keep them healthy and alive. We know barns to be the big, sometimes red, sometimes not but they are an iconic part of life in the country.

This past weekend I was able to go to a friend’s wedding. She decided to have it at a venue that boasted a barn for the ceremony. She decorated the area with the colors of fall, and cute little fairy lights, and of course all of this was a mere ten minutes away from town. Probably one of the best things about living where we live, if you want peace and quite and to go on a long drive we have country roads surrounding us that will give you what you need. My daughter and I jumped into the car to head to the wedding, I figured that we wouldn’t have to leave too early since the place was so close, but by the time we got there, drove (and slid) up the muddy road to the parking area, we arrived in enough time to get the last two seats in the very back. Since the barn wasn’t as big as most barns, and it was already packed full of their guests, we enjoyed the view from where we were. To me, it was the best view, I was able to catch the eye of all the bridesmaids as they walked passed, and when the doors opened to the beauty that was my friend it was worth sitting where we were. The barn though not warm (it was a stormy windy day that day) it was cozy and full of the love of family and friends. The barn was rustic but sweet, the ceremony was sweet, charming and very much rustic. It was perfect for the people that were getting married.

Barns are a place of refuge, animals are kept safe in times of storms. Part of moving out west was to claim your own land and if you brought animals with you, you had to make a place for them. Neighbors would come together to help “raise the barn”. Once it was built their would be potluck parties and get togethers for the community. Churches were sometimes held in a barn especially when there wasn’t another place for people to gather. It wasn’t unheard of to find someone sleeping in the hay loft.

Going even further back history a barn or sorts was used to house a young couple as they travelled for a census. With no room at any of the inns they were forced to stay with the animals. When the young lady was ready to give birth it was with these animals that she birthed her son. Even more remarkable was that the feeding trough was his bed. A barn, the most humble of places was the place where a special young woman gave birth to a Savior. How remarkable that a king would have a starting point with animals, donkeys, sheep, and probably some chickens. Not the most strong of animals. He could have been born with the mighty, instead he was born with animals considered meek and mild. The barn was a refuge, and the Savior still is.

When we were at the wedding, all squeezed into the barn there was a warmth, a joy and a happiness that could be felt. We were all there to support and love the young couple that was getting married. When we are left the barn for the reception area we had to find the warmth in other ways. We huddled next to each other, stood under the propane heat lamps, and some even snuck back into the barn to try and regain the warmth from the building. When we were together we were comfortable, separated not so much.

When we stray and separate from the Savior we find coldness and an emptiness that can only be filled when we humble ourselves and find our way back to Him. He was born in the humbleness of a barn. He was laid in a feeding trough, and only had animals around to use their body heat for warmth. He came into the world on lowly terms just to leave this world in the same way. We are to follow His example love as He loved and be humble as He is. Until next time:

This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger......so they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, an the baby, who was lying in the manger.  Luke 2:12-16