Next to the Manger

I was sitting here tonight, looking at the manger scene that my mom made for us. I noticed that the angels, all the people, and even the animals all are looking at the same thing, the baby, Jesus.  I think in every manger scene we see, all present are looking at Jesus.  


I started to think about the whole scenario, and how Mary, a young, first time mom, had to give birth in less than desirable conditions.  No, she wasn't in the maternity wing of the hospital with doctors and nurses around to help her.  She was more than likely in a cave, with animals all around her. She was about to give birth to God's son....how could she even begin to comprehend that?  Do you think she may have been panicking about how she would raise the Son of God?  Plus, she was a virgin, yet pregnant, about to have a child.  God's child.  I'm sure her mind could not comprehend how her little baby would grow into a man who would save her, and save the world.  What was she thinking as she was there, next to the manger?


What about Joseph?  Here he is with a woman who is pledged to be his wife, who is pregnant with not his child, but God's child, through a miraculous conception.  He is about to be stepdad to God's son.  How does something like that happen, especially to them, a simple couple, not wealthy or famous?  How does God become man?  He will be raising God's son.  How can he comprehend that?   What was he thinking as he was their, next to the manger?


After the baby is born, an angel appeared to the shepherds who were out in fields with their sheep.  The angel told them to go to Bethlehem as their Savior was born.  They left everything and went.  They came from the fields to see him.  You can only imagine what these men were like.  They hung out in fields with sheep, all day, all night.  Yet, they came to worship the newborn King.  God didn't call the wealthy, or the religious leaders to the side of the manger to see the baby, he called those without notoriety or fame.  He called the simple shepherds.  What were their thoughts as they stood, actually probably kneeled in honor and worship, at the side of the manger?  


The next person I wonder about at the side of the manger, is you. What is your response?  Do you turn your focus to the
manger this time of year, or are you too busy getting things done.  As God called the shepherds, He also calls us.  We can put ourselves at the side of the manger, through the Word of God, through the eyes of our faith. What would it be like, if you could literally go back  and stand with Mary and Joseph and the shepherds in the stable in Bethlehem? What thoughts do you have as you experience the manger scene? 

Where would you stand, first of all? How close would you dare to stand to the newborn King? When you look around, how do  you feel?  Look at how poor and humble Mary and Joseph look, yet they are filled with joy! The shepherds, they’re pretty rough around the edges, and a bit dirty. Then there is the  cave, you cannot help but notice the smell of the animals. Then you look at the manger, it’s nothing more than a feeding trough.  

There you stand.  You take a step closer, and you look right into the face of this little baby, and as you look at Him, you remember He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  He looks back at you.  What would you think? What would be in your heart?  Since you know the story of Christ's birth, you stand in awe of the baby, then you remember that He becomes a man who dies for YOU, for your sins, and you begin to weep.



What would you think, if you were at the manger scene with Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds, looking a the holy child? If you know the whole story, you are probably speechless, as you are overwhelmed with emotion. Here, in this feeding trough, is the one and only reason that you are forgiven by God. Here, lying next to animals, is the one and only reason that you have peace with God. Here is Christ, who promises he is coming back for those who believe in Him. Here at the manger, he is only an infant, and yet, he is the one you pray to, the one you worship, the  one you place your faith in. This little child is your Savior. He is your Savior whether you have accepted Him or rejected Him.  Here in the manger is visible proof that God does keep his promises, that God does love you and the world. Here we have hope, a reason to rejoice, a place of peace.


May the manger scene be more for you than just a nice seasonal decoration. May it be a reminder that the Son of God has been born, where God began the work of saving you, and me.

Take some time to read Luke 2, and transport your mind to the manger.  Let me know how your journey goes, and what you felt, saw, experienced on your trip to visit the King.