There is a donkey up in front at the Augustana church these days. It appeared in church when the greens and the tree were put up for Advent. It is a very fine stuffed donkey with a proud head held high. Built using a sawhorse as a skeleton, the donkey is big enough and strong enough to carry a young person on its brown back. When I asked about the donkey, I learned that was its' job for many years during Christmas programs. I have to admit, I was a bit uncomfortable at first with having the donkey in the church but I have come to terms with the donkey.
It is the one animal that appears in the Jesus story in all four gospels. But you might be surprise to find out that you won't find it in the birth narratives. Despite the fact that it appears in nativity scenes, plays and Christmas carols, it's not there in the Bible. I went looking for the donkey, trying to be careful just to make sure I wasn't missing things. But there is no mention of the donkey on the way to Bethlehem in Matthew or Luke. The gospel of Mark begins with the baptism of the adult Jesus and the gospel of John begins with the beginning - of creation!
So where do we find the donkey?
It is not Mary that rides the donkey in the Bible but Jesus himself, as he enters Jerusalem just days before his death. Matthew, Mark, and Luke record Jesus as telling the disciples to bring the young donkey to him just so that he may ride it. It is important because it signifies Jesus as the king sent by God as told by the prophets. (Zephaniah 9:9) By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus proclaims that God's promise of redemption and freedom is fulfilled. No wonder the people greet him with hosannas and praise!
So the reasoning goes like this: the donkey is a sign of the kingship of Jesus. Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem because he was a descendent of the family of King David. Plus, donkeys were a normal beast of burden for common folk and it would be kinder to have a very pregnant Mary ride than to make her walk all that way, wouldn't it? (Although I'm not too sure it really would be more comfortable.) There probably would have been donkeys at the stable even if Mary didn't ride one. I can see the line of reasoning that leads to having the donkey at the manger.
But the donkey at the manger is also a reminder of what happens to the baby being born. Jesus rides triumphantly into Jerusalem only to die on the cross and then to rise again from the tomb.
I guess that's why I've grown comfortable with the donkey this Advent season. That donkey carries us through what can be the overwhelming sweetness of Christmas and takes us to the strength and promise of Easter. Jesus is so far beyond just being about presents and carols. Jesus brings us life that lasts forever, forgiveness for all our brokenness, and God's love that is stronger than anything or anyone. The donkey didn't carry Santa's sack of presents; the donkey carried the salvation of the world. Read Matthew 21:1-11
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