Why a manger?

The following "random thought" actually came about while teaching in Kid's Church just before Christmas many years ago. I don't think I've ever heard it before....in fact, I had never thought of it before the words began to come out of my mouth that Sunday morning. 

It was a typical Children's church service, a week or two before Christmas. I had a wonderful group of kids, most of whom I had known since they were born. These children knew quite well the story of Christmas, so making it real and new was quite a challenge. I had told the story and tried to paint a picture so that the children could experience the story anew. It was then that I asked the question - "Why was Jesus born in a stable?" Of course, the response was "Because there was no room in the inn." 

Then I asked a question even I hadn't considered before. "Why wasn't there room at the inn? Did God forget to make reservations?" Of course, we all laughed at such a ridiculous question. Obviously, the birth of Jesus being in a stable was no accident....but why would God allow/choose His Son to be born in a stable?

It's not like God didn't know when Jesus would be born. Yes, the city was crowded, but couldn't God have made room for this family in an inn somewhere? After all, He's God! He knew when the angel told Mary she'd have a son that they would be making this trip 9 months later! He could have made arrangements! I understand that there are many different views as to what this stable might have been, but it doesn't change the fact that a stable isn't a place for a baby to be born! That's where animals are born....animals like sheep. The kind of animal you'd use for a sacrifice.

And He came as the ultimate innocent sacrifice - a baby. Yet unlike any other baby ever born, He remained innocent and pure.

You know, every time I think about that, it causes a lump to rise in my throat. Jesus, the King of Kings was born in a place where sacrifices are born. He was laid in a manger - the place where the animals would go for food...The Bread of Life, Jesus - born as a sacrifice.

Since this was originally written, I've learned so much more about just how significant it was that Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, and how it connects to sacrifice. When a lamb was born and intended to be used as a sacrifice, it was kept blemish-free. Since lambs are somewhat uncoordinated at birth, they could harm or mar themselves right after birth, so they were wrapped in swaddling clothes to keep them from harming themselves. The shepherds, truly odd visitors to mark the birth of the Son of God, would have known this. When they were told that this would serve as a sign to them, that they would find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger - they knew exactly what that meant. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this. 

This Christmas, as you take time to read the original Christmas story, may your heart be filled with the knowledge and wonder of God's love for you, and may it once again fill you with awe. Merry Christmas.

John 1:29 "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

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Photo by Daniel Sandvik on Unsplash