We’ve been on quite a journey so far in returning our hearts to the wonder of Christmas. Thanks for coming back and joining me here.
We’re peering into Luke 2 again today. This time, we rejoice in the birth of our Savior!
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 NRSV
Cue the heavenly chorus… Hallelujah! Can you imagine how the heavens rejoiced in that very moment? Or, was heaven filled with awe and silence?
I think of the possible emotions Mary and Joseph experienced in that moment, holding not only the Savior of the world, but the Savior of their very own souls. Could they truly comprehend what was taking place right before their eyes? I wonder.
This birth is why we celebrate Christmas.
It’s the birth that changed the world. We haven’t lost sight of this, have we? If we’ve allowed this season to become about something else, we still have time to switch our focus. This is another timely and good reminder for me today.
It may be just me, but I don’t believe a manger is fitting for the birth of our Savior. Shouldn’t He have been born in a palace? He deserved to be, but even if it doesn’t make sense to us, that wasn’t God’s plan. God brought His son into the world in such a lowly way, that it causes our hearts to be drawn to this manger miracle.
The place where horses or cattle eat was Jesus’ first bed.
manger :: a box or trough in a stable or barn from which horses or cattle eat
When we stop at that sentence and let it sink in, we can’t help but marvel at this manger miracle. I think of the dirt and filth that must have been present. I can’t imagine the smells that accompanied the stable and the manger. And, what about the animals that were around Jesus and his parents? Was it noisy or were the animals silent?
God sent His Son to earth… not for His sake, but for ours. He came in the form of a baby, just like us. He lived on this earth, just like us, and He experienced all we have experienced. And, because He was sinless, He took our sins to the cross with Him and paid the price for us. Because of His birth, His death, and resurrection, we are given the opportunity to live forever with Him.
It all began with the manger miracle.
May we allow this truth to transform our thinking and our Christmas season. May we rejoice in Jesus today!
Blessings!
Julie
This post was adapted from its original version in the Rediscovering Christmas series. Linking this post with my friend Anita.
The manger miracle is my absolute fave part of the story!
It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping over, Tara!
As a city girl who moved to the country to teach I must say that the barn smells took some getting used to. Funny how things change, because now when I’ve been away and get that first whiff of barn, I know I’m home and my heart is happy. I know it’s silly, but I wonder if Mary was the same way? That any time she got a whiff of barn she smiled, she thought of Jesus’ birth, and her heart was happy. Isn’t it wonderful that when we immerse ourselves in the aroma of Jesus, our hearts become truly and eternally happy as He guides us Home!
Cindy, you’ve given me much to ponder tonight. I love, love your words! Yes, immersing ourselves in the aroma of Jesus makes our hearts happy. What a great truth to rest in today. I so appreciate you and your presence here. You are a blessing! Merry Christmas, friend!
History always presents itself (or is presented by us) in such a tidied-up version. I can only imagine how it smelled, and how difficult and dirty birth must have been without a sterile environment and pain meds. That makes the gift even more precious :).