By Banji Ayoola
Consider that due to the pressure of accommodation, as a result of the unusually large number of people, who had come for the census; and the fact that Mary, Joseph, with their Baby, and their helpers had been forced to stay in a stable of animals.
In a habitation fitting only for animals. Which, as usual, would have been soaked in dungs, urine, rotten leaves, and foul smell.
With no facility for human conveniences, or comfort, as the place was designed only for animals.
It was in this place that the Lord was forced to stay, and sleep. In an accommodation that was unimaginable, and unfitting even for someone from the lowest classes.
Remember that Joseph had a comfortable accommodation, with rooms, and necessary facilities at home in Nazareth. And he could easily afford a decent, temporary accommodation elsewhere for the duration of the census.
But there was none available, and yet his family had to partake in the exercise.
Thus the condition in which the Lord, His parents, and helpers were forced to stay, and live was inhuman.
It was, indeed below the standard of any accommodation befitting enough for any human being.
Imagine the pain, the suffering, the anxiety and fear of staying, and even sleeping in such a place, even for one night.
An accommodation, which, apart from other hazards, and inconveniences, would be open to dangerous insects, reptiles, and wild animals.
That afforded no privacy, or adequate security, and as such was open to intrusion, or trespass easily by any hostile human beings.
Remember the envy, the instigated hostility, and bloodshed that had trailed His Birth.
This is not to talk of the harshness of the weather, to which the Lord, His parents and helpers would have been fully subjected.
Imagine the discomfort that He, His parents, and helpers would have suffered sleeping, and staying in a place meant for animals.
Certainly, He, and they needed relocation and resettlement elsewhere. They needed rehabilitation in the forms of urgent medical attention, and resettlement.
Also, like them, He needed earthly provisions too, to nourish His Body as the necessary tool to support Him in the Fulfilment of His Mission on Earth.
Provisions that had been richly given, and entrusted mainly for His sake, by the Light in certain individuals, who had deserted Him.
