Christmas Fortnight Day 7

 

As we continue looking at Jesus and His birth, let’s think about the ‘manger’.  A cattle trough, a feeding container for cattle or horses.  What is the import of the “manger”?

Luke speaks of the manger 3 times. Why 3 times? Let’s look.

Luke 2:7,  “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:12, “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:16, “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

First we see that Mary, “laid him in a manger”.

This precious young mother, chosen by God had nowhere to lay her newborn baby but in a trough.  Her humility and faithfulness are overwhelming to me.  Nothing is recorded of Mary complaining, whining or being dissatisfied with her lot.

Philippians 2:8 says that Jesus also chose to humble himself, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” 

This King of kings accepted a manger for HIS bed.  What about us—what are we unwilling to accept from God?

Then we see the angels, giving the shepherds instructions to look for a babe ‘lying in a manger’.  Christ’s first ‘cradle’ wasn’t a surprise to God.  He KNOWS where You are as well.

Lastly we see that the shepherds found Him in that very ‘manger’.  They didn’t scoff at this strange tale, nor hesitate to obey.  How about you and me?  Do we respond to God in similar manner? Or do we hesitate at what may seem to us the “strange ways” of God.  Remember His ways aren’t our ways, nor are our ways His.  Thoughts to ponder in this Christmas season.  Think about ‘CHRIST’mas.