The Small One

Concluding our Christmas movie series, I saved our family’s favorite for last. The Small One is a little gem from 1978. The 25 minute movie follows a young boy and his donkey, who is always judged by his outward appearance and called too little to help with anything. Since the donkey can’t work at the farm because he’s too small, the boy is tasked with taking his donkey to the market to sell it, but no one wants the donkey—he’s too small and weak. Finally, the boy meets a very special stranger who needs the donkey for his pregnant wife. It’s such a special film that features the true story of Christmas and every year we wait until Christmas Eve to watch it.

“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” (Luke 2:4-7)

No one gave Mary and Joseph special treatment, not even considerate treatment, as not a single room could be found for a pregnant young woman. We do not read of Joseph getting angry and demanding a room for his wife—we read of faithful obedience as our Lord and Savior, King of kings, is born in a barn, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a feeding trough. It would seem that, like Small One the donkey, no one thought this baby was anything special. But a host of angels declared the birth of the King to the lowliest of people: shepherds.

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” (Luke 2:8-15)

Shepherds were not the highest ranking members of society. They spent most of their time with sheep, so they smelled like sheep, and yet God chose them to be the first to hear the news of the Savior being born and invited them to see Him.

“The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)

This Christmas, don’t judge someone by outward appearance. You never know what God has planned for them. Those society shuns may be special guests invited by God.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.