No Strangers at the Manger
Most of us are familiar with the Christmas story in the book of Luke. I thought I was, but thanks to my Sunday school class, some sermons I’ve heard, and honestly a couple things I’ve read on Facebook, it has taken on all new depth to me this Christmas season. There is symbolism, fulfilled prophecy, and meaning that we can draw from every aspect of the story. For me, it’s an incredible reminder of how perfect God’s plans always are, and how he gives purpose and significance to everything. We may not be able to see it at the time, as I’m sure those involved in the Christmas story didn’t fully grasp all that they were apart of, but that’s the beauty in having the Bible to lay everything out for us. If I tried to highlight all of the meaningful aspects of how this story unfolded we’d be here all day, and I’d still miss half of it that’s way over my head. Let’s just take a deeper look at the where and who of the birth of Jesus.
It’s widely told that Jesus was “born in a manger.” The Bible doesn’t actually seem to tell us where his birth itself happened, but Luke 2-7 says “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” The oppressed Jewish people had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Messiah, but they expected a mighty king to come and rescue them through military exploits. So I think that God is already showing us the vast differences in our ways of thinking and his right off the bat by sending a baby in a manger. What can we draw from the manger itself though? First, where it is located. Or, actually, where it isn’t. It’s not in a palace surrounded by guards, it’s not anywhere fancy, it’s not even in the inn. It’s out where anyone and everyone can have easy access to it. You don’t have to know the right people, be clean enough, from the right family or anything like that to walk in to a stable and right up to the manger.
The manger is a very accessible place, and as part of that it’s a very humble place. “Christ the Lord” as the angels refer to Him in Luke 2-11 could have been born anywhere he wanted right? If god wanted to place Mary and Joseph in the most luxurious palace in all of Judea I don’t doubt that he could have. Lastly, what was a manger used for? It’s a feed trough basically, holding hay or other feed for animals. I read a post that suggested the manger may have served another purpose at times, however: these were sturdy structures, likely made of stone or other earthen materials, perfect for protecting something. What I read asserted that unblemished perfect lambs may have been rapped in cloths and placed in the manger to protect them and keep them spotless until the sacrifice. That ties right in with what God sent Jesus in to the world to do doesn’t it? I’m certainly no Jewish culture expert, and not everything you read on Facebook is true or Biblical, but it’s good food for thought and makes sense to me. The lamb of God was placed in a humble accessible manger when he left heaven and came to us.
Who then makes the most sense to be the first to receive the news of the coming of the Savior? Again, if God had wanted to bring all of the most rich and famous of the day to the mangerside, don’t you know he could have? In keeping with what we humanly might consider an upside-down approach, the angels bring the good news to none other than a group of shepherds. I always knew this growing up, but never knew or thought much about what bringing this group of people in to play really demonstrated. Shepherding wasn’t a pretty 9 to 5 job that you clocked out of and went home. These men lived the lifestyle of taking care of the flocks, and as a result were likely marginalized and considered unclean. What a perfect way to send the message that a change is coming and everyone is able to be included than this movement! Luke 2-10 says “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” For all people! Aren’t you glad that God included shepherds and those of a similar lot in his Kingdom? Praise Him that he doesn’t see us through the eyes of society, based on an occupation, or in light of anything we’ve done or not done! The little baby the shepherds saw lying in a manger covered every bit of that.
The good news is that God was establishing a precedent here, not telling a cute one time story. This was the first of many times Jesus would lead by humbling himself and getting right down amongst the common people. And these shepherds? They were only the first of many who the world considers uncool to be given a front row seat in the Kingdom. Paul Washer often says that God always uses the runt of the litter. I think I’ve seen that to be true several times, and what a powerful way to display his glory and contrast His ways with those of the world. The best part though is not HOW Jesus came but WHAT he came to accomplish. He kept the law perfectly, something no other man could or would ever be able to do, and continued to set a perfect example all the way through submitting himself to the Father’s will in giving himself for us on the cross. This Christmas I encourage myself and others to celebrate the birth of Jesus of course, and at the same time remember the example of servant leadership he set and the incredible life-giving sin crushing world changing sacrifice he made. Praise God there are no strangers at the manger, and the ground is level at the cross. As we talked about in Sunday school, if He wasn’t born He couldn’t have died. Merry Christmas, and a blessed new year to everyone!
