The Rhythm of the Manger…
In a few hours, the highways will be without traffic, the airports vacant, the retail stores devoid of customers, and our gift-list completed. The CHRIST of Christmas has come and we will “find Him wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7. The birth of our Savior – prophetically spoken and written 2,000 years ago.
The Nativity Scene with the Babe in a manger is comfortable to some. Let’s keep Him there – harmless – asleep, if possible – that way He’ll not threaten anyone’s life or lifestyle – thinking or relationships – home or business – or anyone’s very soul, for that matter. Jolly Old Saint Nick/Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells and a glut of gifts is non-threatening.
The Nativity Scene with the Babe in a manger is comfortable to some. Let’s keep Him there – harmless – asleep, if possible – that way He’ll not threaten anyone’s life or lifestyle – thinking or relationships – home or business – or anyone’s very soul, for that matter. Jolly Old Saint Nick/Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells and a glut of gifts is non-threatening.
Babes grow up to fulfill their destiny. This One grew in stature and wisdom and fulfilled His destiny. While He healed, comforted, forgave sins, and performed miracles and exorcisms, He also made a whip of cords, overturned tables, drove all from the Temple courts – including sheep and cattle – scattered the money-changers, and hauled the hypocritical religious leaders over the coals saying “Get these out of here! Stop turning My Father’s house into a market.” – John 2:15-17.
They were stunned because now He was challenging their comfort level of “covering and paying for their own sins” – their way of life – and they must privatize Him, questioning His authority, so as to pose little or no threat to their status quo.
Nevertheless, the Son of God, born of a virgin, hideously crucified under Pontius Pilate, fulfilling His own words by rising from the dead in three days by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 2:19) is a real and dangerous threat to a world who wishes to keep Him a Babe in a manger.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” – John 1:1-5.
The Babe in the Manger is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
“On his robe and on his thigh He has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
Revelation 19:16
