Introduction:
Good morning, church! Today, we will approach the story of Christmas from a unique perspective: the Manger. Yes, that humble trough that cradled the Savior of the world. It may seem odd to personify a piece of wood or stone but bear with me as we step into its perspective to witness the miracle of the incarnation.
**Scripture Reading**
"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" (Luke 2:7, ESV).
**I. The Manger's Journey**
Let's imagine the Manger's life leading up to this holy night. It was likely rough-hewn, ordinary, and utilitarian. Day after day, it bore the burden of animals' feeding, never suspecting its destiny was to hold the Bread of Life.
The Manger might have felt out of place in the stable that night. The dirt and the smell were hardly fit for a king. But then, isn't that the point? God doesn't choose the perfect; He perfects the chosen. From the shepherds to the stable, Christmas reminds us that God sees value in the overlooked. The Manger whispers, "God's plan often unfolds in the humblest places."
**Application:**
Are you feeling overlooked or unworthy? Remember the Manger. What seemed insignificant became a vessel of divine purpose. Your life, like the Manger, can hold the glory of God.
**II. The Manger Meets the Messiah**
When Mary laid Jesus in the Manger, imagine how it felt. The rough edges, perhaps worn smooth by years of use, now cradled the Creator of the universe. The Manger, a tool of the earth, encountered the One who formed the world.
What a mystery! Colossians 1:16 says, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible." The Manger must have marveled at the paradox of the infinite God contained in finite flesh. It bore witness to the fulfillment of prophecy:
- "The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).
- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (Isaiah 9:6).
**Application:**
Do we, like the Manger, make room for Jesus? Or are our lives too cluttered? The Manger's emptiness made it ready to receive Him. This Christmas, let's create space for Christ to dwell.
**III. Witnessing the Worship**
As shepherds entered the stable, the Manger witnessed Worship. These rough, weary men fell to their knees, glorifying God for what they had seen.
The Manger could hear their testimony: "The angel said to us, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'" (Luke 2:10-11).
The shepherds' joy must have filled the stable, and the Manger saw firsthand that Jesus' birth wasn't just for kings and priests but for the lowly and the outcast.
**Application:**
Like the shepherds, let us come as we are to worship the newborn King. Christmas reminds us that no one is too lowly to approach Jesus.
**IV. The Echo of the Future**
The Manger didn't just hold a baby; it had the Savior, who would later say, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). The wooden frame of the Manger foreshadowed the wooden beams of the Cross. It cradled the infant who would grow to bear the world's sins.
The Manger might have trembled at the weight of this truth. It knew its role at the story's beginning but pointed toward the climax: a Savior who would die and rise again to reconcile humanity to God.
**Application:**
Christmas isn't just about celebrating Jesus' birth; it's about embracing the purpose of His coming. Have you trusted the One who lay in the Manger but also hung on the Cross?
**Conclusion**
The Manger's perspective teaches us:
1. God uses the humble to accomplish His purposes.
2. We must make room in our lives for Christ.
3. Jesus came for the lowly and outcast.
4. Christmas points to the Cross and the ultimate gift of Salvation.
This Christmas, let's see the story through fresh eyes. Let the Manger's testimony remind us that no place or person is too insignificant for God's glory to dwell.
**Prayer:**
Lord, thank You for the humble Manger that held our Savior. Help us to prepare our hearts to receive You this Christmas. May we worship like the shepherds and marvel like the angels. Let the miracle of Your birth fill us with joy and hope, and may we share that with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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