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"The Manger"
"She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).
A familiar symbol of Christmas is the manger scene with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, the shepherds and even wise men. I enjoy hearing stories of touching and sometimes humorous Christmas memories. A pastor friend of mine shared with me concerning his young son who was intrigued by the manger scene and would frequently go and rearrange it. Dad was a bit flustered at having to constantly put the scene back in place. He asked his son why he did this and the little boy said, "Dad, I want everybody to see Jesus."
During my ministry years in the northern part of Pennsylvania we lived near a large national forest and had a number of foresters in our church. I've kept in touch with most of these men and several just might read today's message. I've always found foresters to be common sense, reasonable people to deal with and have wondered if that might have something to do with the nature of their work.
The very first place the infant Jesus was physically placed, following His birth, was a manger. The manger was a feeding trough for animals. The specific composition of the manger is not specified in Scripture, but it very likely was made from wood or perhaps from a hollowed out log.
One can see Mary wrapping her newborn baby in cloths and gently placing Him in the manger. What an interesting detail and sign of the humble start on earth for the incarnate, eternal Son of God. He was surely lovingly and purposefully placed in the manger. The eternal Son of God, by whose command the world was formed, was placed in an animal-feeding trough.
The final physical place where Jesus (while still alive) was placed on earth was a cross. As a symbol we now see crosses made of stone, metal, jewels, and other materials (even plastic!), but the old rugged cross upon which the dear Son of God died was most certainly made of wood. In fact Peter writes, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree." He was not lovingly placed on the cross by the hands of man as He was in His infancy placed in the manger by His mother. But it was surely by God's set purpose (read Acts 2:23).
This Christmas season let us seek to keep the awe when we see a manger scene. My friend's little son wanted everyone to see Jesus and that should be the goal of every earnest Christian.
See Him in a manger laid, Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, with us sing our Savior's birth.
Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, we know that You no longer physically occupy a place where we can see, touch, or talk with You face to face. But You reside in the hearts of those who make room for You. We place You on the throne of our hearts where Your principles and Your divine guidance are the authority and rule for our lives. Though the world may cast You aside we place You front and center of all that we do so that all who see us will also see You.
Do you have a Christmas memory you would like to share with others to uplift and encourage? Please send us your story and we will compile a page of memories to share with others on this site.
Recently Brooksyne picked up a book at the Christian bookstore titled "The Case for Christmas" by Lee Strobel. I have enjoyed his other books in "The case for" series and this is no exception. This is an excellent book for gift-giving and evangelistic outreach. I found an inexpensive online edition.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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