For the next couple of weeks I am going to share some of our Christmas family favorites. The Crippled Lamb is the one I like best. When we read this together, I know it is time for Christmas.
In this book, by Max Lucado, little Joshua the lamb can't travel with his flock and the shepherds to the next field to find better grass because of his crippled leg. He has to stay in the barn with Abigail the cow and nothing but hay to eat. He is sad and lonely and he can't understand why he was born with a crippled leg. His only friend, Abigail the old cow always says, "Don't be sad, little Joshua. God has a special place for those who feel left out."
That night as Joshua snuggles next to Abigail, a young couple come into the barn and the young girl delivers a baby. The baby is cold and crying and nothing is available to warm Him, except a few old cloths. Joshua unselfishly goes over and lies down next to the baby to keep him warm. The young mother is very grateful to the little lamb.
Soon, the shepherds arrive breathless at the door to the stable and they see their little crippled lamb lying beside Jesus. They are amazed and ask Joshua if he knows Who he is keeping warm. Of course, he doesn't answer (this is not that kind of book), but Mary does. She tells Joshua that God has heard his prayers and sent this little baby as the answer to any of life's problems.
In the end, Joshua realizes that God had a plan for him to be born with a crippled leg. Otherwise, he would have been with the other sheep and missed being among the first to welcome Jesus into the world.
This book is a great reminder that God is sovereign and has everything under complete control. Even when things happen to us that we can't understand and don't see the reason for, God knows. He indeed does have a very special place for all of us. Even when we feel left out.
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