A Way In A Manger

A WAY IN A MANGER

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”” – Luke‬ ‭2:8-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love this time of year.  It starts with the beautiful season of giving thanks, crisp night air and the crunch of brilliant leaves under foot.  That gives way to the twinkling of lights, fragrant boughs, beautifully wrapped packages and mugs of hot cocoa on frosty, winter mornings.

If we were not careful, it would be easy to shift the birth of the Savior to second position in this season.  With the noise, hustle and hurry of the secular, the profound message of the nativity can be lost in its silence.

There, in the dark of night, the birth of the prophesied Messiah, the Savior of the world, was announced to lowly shepherds.  They found the Christ child in humble surroundings, far from the pomp and ceremony befitting a king.

As the animals looked on, there, nestled in the feeding trough, the Bread of Life Himself—the divine offering to satisfy hungry souls, rested on a throne of hay.

He took upon Himself the lowest place.  In a dark and desperate time, the Father made a way in a manger to reconcile mankind to Himself.

Beloved, as the Angel of the Lord pronounced Good News to the shepherds in darkness, so the darkness of your circumstance does not consume the light of His love for you.  Under a tapestry of brilliant stars and amid soft bleats and the rustle of angel wings, the King of the Universe bent His knee and came to Earth.

Likewise, though the Earth be His footstool, it is not beneath Him to reach down to lift you from your boggy mire.  He sees you in your difficulty—the dark recesses of desperation.  In compassion and gentleness, He reaches out nail-scarred hands to receive you to Himself.

Don’t wait until your room is clean and your house in order.  He is not unfamiliar with the accommodations of humble resorts.  Welcome His presence into your lack, that your circumstance might become a manger to receive Him.

Father, we thank You that the birth of the Savior was announced to shepherds before kings.  You set aside the majesty of Heaven to live in extraordinary meekness among the common.  We welcome You to come and reign in our lowly places.  Emmanuel, come and live with us (Matt 1:23). Bring the miracle of new life to what appears beyond hope.

We thank You that the miracle in Bethlehem foreshadowed the miracle of Your presence that is offered to every one of Your children. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, wrapped in humble swaddling clothes who is our daily Bread.  We offer all that we are and all that we have—both good and bad.  Come and take the throne of our heart and make a way in our manger.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

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