This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12As children we are introduced to the Christ of Christmas. Like all of us, He entered this world as a helpless babyneedy and dependent. Whats more, the King of kings did not come into the grand surroundings the world would have expected. Hidden from Herod in a stable, this newborn King would be marked by the humility and meekness resident in His Fathers nature. "This will be a sign for you " the Baby in the mangerseemingly so insignificant among the cows, and wrapped in swaddling clothes to stay warmthats the Son of God.Often we do not recognize the Lord because, like most of Israel, we are looking for Him to come in the garb of our own desires. Surely the King of the Jews would have come to Jerusalem in the stateliness of a majestic processional with chariots, pageantry and the most impressive army ever to be seen. But He came on a donkey and did not resist the earthly powers. Even His own disciples ran away when the Miracle Worker did not work the miracles they had come to want and expect.The miracle of Christmas is neither glitzy nor glamorous. It is simply that Immanuel came down to earth to be with us to bring us down to earth to restore true glory to earthen vessels.And so the mangerthe feeding troughreveals His meek and lowly nature to us. But it sends another message as well, that this humble King is Bread for the world: I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever (John 6:51).Our prayer for you this season is that you would beholdeven adorethe Babe of Christmas; that you would feast on Him in worship and discover this treasure in earthen vesselsChrist Himselfthe greatest gift. We pray that you would come to identify with Him in the feelings that we all have of being needy, dependent and even insignificant, but that these feelings would inspire worship, faith and trust in our hearts toward our almighty Father.from: http://www.ecollege.edu/manger
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
One of the most profound aspects of Jesus being born as a baby is that as an infant he was totally helpless, totally dependent upon caring humans for his well-being. Of course, it can be argued that he knew what people to choose to be born to, but still, he was dependent upon the prevailing customs, the prevailing political climate and he flowed right with it. This would be highly unusual for someone who valued his position. BTW, a stable does not smell like a room with fragrant candles burning; it smells of manure, animal urine and straw - if you are lucky. No woman in her right mind would choose to give birth in a setting like this; the only reason she would is if there is no other place available. And Joseph, a male virgin, delivers this baby...?! A very extraordinary man...This entire incident teaches one so many lessons - if we are open to them. ginnyrose
_________________Sandra Miller
