Mary’s Son Born In A Manger Just As If He Was A Stranger

-December 24, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday, happy Christmas Eve,

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him with swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Luke 2:7).

This was quite a scene; Jesus was born in a manger, a feed trough. Our precious Savior was surrounded by animals with all their sights, sounds, and smells. There were no family or guests present, neither any dignitaries.

There was no palace or family home, just a humble, simple manger. The hymn writer said it so clearly and beautifully, “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky all looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”

It should humble us. We have homes, but we complain they are not big enough; we have central heat, but we complain it costs too much; we have doctors and nurses in hospitals, but we complain about our aches and pains.

Mary didn’t complain nor did Joseph. They knew that they were in the center of God’s will. Though the night was cold, their hearts were warmed by the Holy Spirit. Mary and Joseph had some swaddling cloths which were fairly smooth and soft. Swaddling is an ancient practice of wrapping infants in blankets or similar cloths so that the movement of the limbs is tightly restricted. Swaddling bands went out of favor in the seventeenth century.

God took care of the birth of His beloved Son. It is a great lesson for us to trust God no matter what happens, no matter the circumstances, and be thankful. The birth of Christ was both heavenly and divine.

So this Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, when we are tucked in our warm, comfortable beds, let us reflect on how Jesus was born, where Jesus was born, and why Jesus was born. He came into the world that He had created to save us His sinful people.

Which one of us would choose a manger? God’s ways and God’s thoughts are higher and better than ours.

Have a blessed Christmas Eve. Stay safe and healthy.

In the words of hymn writer Joseph Mohr, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright, round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”

Dean