The Manger: A Place of Humility and Glory
Christmas is just days away, and as we gather with family and friends to celebrate, it’s important to remember the true meaning of this season. While we’ll exchange gifts, share meals, and create memories, we’re ultimately celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – our wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Mary’s Unexpected Call
The Christmas story begins with a young woman named Mary, living her life in Nazareth with plans for her future. She was engaged to Joseph, a just and good man, and likely had dreams about their upcoming wedding and life together. Then suddenly, the angel Gabriel appeared with an announcement that would change everything.
Gabriel told Mary she was “highly favored” and “blessed among women” – not above all women, but among them. This distinction matters because Mary was simply a chosen vessel, not someone to be worshipped. Only her son, Jesus, deserves our worship.
When God Disrupts Our Plans
Mary’s response to Gabriel’s announcement teaches us something profound about God’s timing. This wasn’t convenient for Mary. She had plans, dreams, and a reputation to consider. In that culture, an unmarried pregnant woman faced serious social consequences – judgment, criticism, and potential ostracism from her community.
Yet Mary’s situation mirrors what happens when God wants to birth something new in our lives. When He places a calling, gift, or ministry within us, it rarely comes at the most convenient time. Sometimes God’s purposes override our personal plans, and what He wants to develop in us requires a season of carrying and waiting.
The Cost of Carrying God’s Purpose
Just as pregnancy brings discomfort and challenges, carrying God’s purpose in our lives can be costly. It might cost us friendships, our reputation, our comfort zone, or our own desires. There are seasons when it becomes hard to “breathe” spiritually, when the weight of what God is developing feels overwhelming.
But here’s the encouraging truth: what God plants in us is growing and maturing during these waiting periods. When the time comes for the “birth” – when God’s purpose is finally revealed – the pain and inconvenience fade in light of the miracle we’ve been carrying.
Mary understood this. Despite all the potential costs, she surrendered completely: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” Her surrender to God’s will resulted in salvation for the world.
Four Truths About the Manger
When Jesus was finally born, Mary laid Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. This wasn’t an accident – it was orchestrated by God. The manger teaches us four important truths:
1. The Manger Was a Humbling Place
A manger was simply a feeding trough for farm animals – dirty, common, and lowly. Yet God chose this humble place for His Son’s first bed. The prophet Micah had foretold 700 years earlier that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a small and insignificant town.
Spiritually speaking, if we never reach a place of humility, we cannot expect to see God birth new things in our lives. Sometimes when we find ourselves being brought low, it’s actually God preparing us for something greater.
2. The Manger Was a Sign
When the angels announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, they said, “This will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” While many babies wore swaddling cloths, only one would be found in a manger.
The shepherds probably thought they misheard – surely the Savior, the Christ, the Lord wouldn’t be found in a feeding trough. But that was exactly the sign. No earthly king would be found in such a place, which confirmed this was the King of Kings.
3. The Manger Was Glorious
Despite its humble appearance, the manger was glorious because of who lay in it. As soon as the angel finished speaking, heaven erupted in praise: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
The angelic host celebrated because redemption had come to earth. Healing, deliverance, and salvation had arrived. The King of Kings, Prince of Peace, and Bright Morning Star could be found in that lowly manger.
4. The Manger Was Step One to Calvary
The manger marked the beginning of Jesus’ journey to the cross. From infinite God to human flesh in a feeding trough, to walking among sinful humanity, to enduring betrayal and ridicule, to the lashes and torment of crucifixion, to death, to the tomb, and finally to resurrection and ascension.
Philippians 2:6-8 describes this journey: Jesus “emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Are We Ready for His Return?
Christmas celebrates Christ’s first advent – He said He was coming, and He came. But before He left, Jesus promised He would return. The question we must ask ourselves is: when He comes again, will we be ready?
Have we humbled ourselves to recognize that we cannot save ourselves? Have we confessed Jesus as Lord of our lives, not just Savior? True humility means acknowledging our need for Him and surrendering our will to His will.
Life Application
This Christmas season, make a commitment to keep Christ at the center of your celebrations. Remember that Christmas literally means “Christ Mass” – a celebration of Christ, the Anointed One. While you enjoy gatherings, gifts, and festivities, don’t let the busyness cause you to forget the real meaning of this season.
Consider what God might be asking you to surrender in your life. Just as Mary had to lay down her plans for God’s purposes, He may be calling you to release certain things so He can birth something new in you. Trust that what He’s asking you to surrender, He’s replacing with something far better.
Questions for Reflection:
- What plans or desires might God be asking you to surrender to His will?
- Are there areas in your life where you need to humble yourself before God?
- How can you ensure that Christ remains the focus of your Christmas celebrations?
- What might God be preparing to “birth” in your life that requires a season of patient waiting?