Away in a manger…
Luke 2:1-20
Have you ever thought about that scene?
This beautiful ceramic manger scene that my mom made has a prominent place every Christmas in my living room window. As I carefully unpack each piece, I imagine what that night would have been like so many years ago.
I imagine a baby boy wrapped in cloth and lying on a bed of hay, sent to save the
entire world. Did anyone really understand what this child would do, the prophesies he would fulfill, and who he really was?
I imagine Mary gazing upon her beautiful child with awe, wonder, joy, and fear. Did those doubtful thoughts cross her mind like they do ours? Did she question how in the world was she going to raise the Messiah? Did she ask herself, “why did God choose me?” I believe she had doubts just like we do, but she was still willing to risk it all.
I imagine Joseph, who was really “just along for the ride,” with an enormous level of trust and understanding. But really, God chose Joseph too. God needed a man to be Jesus’ earthly father. I think that was part of the reason God chose Mary was that she would have Joseph by her side to raise His only son.
I imagine the angel appearing before the shepherds proclaiming the birth of Jesus, and the heavenly choir that joined. None of us like to be the bearer of bad news. But isn’t it great to be able to give someone good news? The angel was able to give the ultimate news to the shepherds, the birth of our savior and Lord.
I imagine the shepherds, exhausted, smelly, and dirty. They were of lowly position, and afraid of the angel at first. But then Luke 2:15-18 (MSG) says, “As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us. They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.”
I imagine the Wise men, wanting to give only the best gifts to the Messiah. Although these men weren’t in the stable that night, they have become a beautiful part of the typical nativity display. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were important gifts for Christ to receive, and they were a foreshadowing of who this baby truly was. The gift of gold may have represented his position as Christ our King, frankincense was often used in worship, and myrrh was used as a healing ointment as well as embalming, and it was used again in Jesus’ burial.
As I read this story, I think about the character of the people represented. I ponder on Mary’s willingness to step out on faith, Joseph’s ability to trust even when he had no idea what would happen, the shepherd’s obedience and excitement to share Jesus with others, the wise mens’ desire to offer their gifts of worship. My desire is that I live out the characters of those represented in this story everyday, not just on Christmas.
As you visit family and friends over the next few days, I pray that you remember the true meaning of Christmas and keep it at the forefront of your mind. Treasure the gift that we were given all those years ago.
Merry Christmas
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son that night so many years ago. I pray that I listen to your voice, step out in faith, trust you completely, be obedient, have an excitement to share You with others, worship you with my whole heart, and give my best to you. Amen
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