A Robin at Christmas
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Matthew 6:26 (NASB)
Yesterday morning was another sub-zero temperature of many that we have had at the top of the hill in our town in the last couple of weeks; winter is truly here. Another sign of the the season is the squabbling going on outside the window amongst the birds at the bird table, the starlings causing the most raucous amongst themselves…seems like they don’t like to share even though there is plenty. There are blackbirds, magpies, dunnocks, great tits and blue tits. But my favourite is the Robin quietly going about his business; even though they are present all year round they seem to be more visible during the winter months. We see our robins often, sometimes quite close by, they are not as fearful of humans as other birds. As I watched my wee red friend pecking at the dried meal worms I was reminded of a blog I wrote; A Robin’s Reminder 21st September 2021 about the myth regarding the Robin and the crucifixion of our Lord. There are other myths that tie the Robin to the Christmas story, which is worth knowing.
The popularity of Robins on Christmas cards and other ephemera of the season date from the Victorian era. Cards and Christmas cards were a Victorian development in the Royal Mail of the United Kingdom. At this time postmen wore red uniforms and were nicknamed ‘Robins’ by the public, which lead to them being represented on Christmas cards delivering mail or sitting atop a red post box. This was the beginning of Robins being associated with Christmas in popular culture.
Another application of the Robin comes in Christian myth, having the Robin present in the manger at Christ’s birth. it is said that when Mary was giving birth in the stable, the fire that they had lit was nearly out. Suddenly, a small brown bird appeared and started flapping its wings in front of the fire, fanning the flames back to life. However, a stray ember made its way towards the bird, scorching its breast bright red. Seeing this, Mary declared that the little bird’s red breast was a sign of its kind heart, which would pass on to its descendants to wear proudly for eternity. Even though this is a fictional story told to children at Christmas time, it has value as a reminder to us as believers of the Christ of Christmas.
Dear Reader, Almighty God cares for the needs of the birds on our bird tables, even the lovely Robin quietly flitting from perch to perch. He reminds me of verses like today’s one, and I feed my feathered friends out of love for Him and his Creation. But that is not the end; He cares for us as we care for the birds, but much more than that. He not only provides our daily sustenance, but sends a Messiah, His own beloved Son to save us from ourselves and the fate of Eternal separation from God. Thus the Robin on our Christmas card reminds us of the Messiah in the manger, and how He saves us for a Heavenly future with our Father God. That is a reason to rejoice at every Christmas time!
Alan Kearns is a Christian father and grandfather from Scotland. He was raised in the mining villages of Fife and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1984. A major influence that leads Alan to Jesus was his Christian mum, grandparents and an aunt. Alan writes regular devotionals in his blog Devotional Treasures
https://devotionaltreasure.wordpress.com/
Image by DEEPAI
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