A King Born in a Manger

Merry CHRISTmas!  (Okay, yeah I am a little late, but the message is still the same!) I love Christmas... it has that magical feeling to it that no other time can compare to. I bet that Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and Wise men would have to agree. Can you imagine the scene? A star so bright, a multitude of angels and voices singing above in heaven; "Glory to God in the Highest!", and a little baby, a King, who humbled himself enough to come to earth as a poor baby, when he could have presided in a palace. It puts me in awe every time I try to picture it. I have seen nativity scenes for my entire life, but to have actually been there... And to catch a glimpse of our baby King.

Wouldn't that be a day to hold in your heart forever? Isn't it positively amazing that a little manger could have so much meaning? That is what is my favorite part. I mean, sure, it would have been just as nice to read a story about this little King being born to a princess in a palace with riches, but the setting is what really makes the story. A MANGER: noun, a trough used to hold food for animal; mostly used for livestock raising. Our King came down from the glory of Heaven to live in our sinful earth, in a dirty barn for cows and sheep. He humbled himself for me. For you. Jesus took the place of a peasant to relate to us.We are poor sinners, in need of love, comfort, and acceptance. Had Jesus been born in a palace, would we relate to this story? Could we relate to a King born to luxuries? Probably not. This little baby Jesus was born to save us from our sins. Honestly, the words in Luke say it better than I ever could. So, please, read the story and hold it dear in your heart, because this is the story of the birth of our Savior.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 

And in the same region there were shepherd out in field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning the child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherd returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and see, as it had been told them. 

Luke 2:1-20

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

                                                            

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