And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:6-7
The lowly birth of our Savior will always amaze me. We don’t know the exact date of his birth, but we do celebrate it on Christmas day each year. While we often see our Savior depicted on various items in stores, it’s hard to believe it all started in just a lowly manger.
Realizing that Jesus Christ was the Son of God helps us understand all the splendors He left behind. He was in the presence of God the Father, enjoying all the splendors that Heaven has to offer. Yet, He willingly chose to come to this earth as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Ultimate sacrifice doesn’t begin to describe it.
His humility starts with His birth. It wasn’t the best of situations. He was born in a stable, because there was no room in the inn. He didn’t have a warm bed or even the wooden depiction we often see in Christmas images. He was placed in a manger, which was typically hollowed-out stone, used to feed the livestock. No doubt it was cold and dirty.
He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, mere strips of linen that were far from the robe fit for a king. Yet, those clothes provided comfort and protection for the one sent to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin. His birth never made the front page of a newspaper, yet it set in motion a change for the course of humanity.
While the world will celebrate expensive gifts, fancy technology, and more on Christmas, the reason for the day is much more amazing. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords gave up all Heaven offered and humbled Himself to a lowly, cold feeding trough. Not because He was forced to, but because He chose to. So that He might give Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Today, amid the hustle, bustle, gifts, and family events, take a moment to reflect on our Savior. From Heaven’s glory to the manger is hard for us to fathom. Throughout His life, He showed and continues to show His love for us to this day. And it all started in a feeding trough in Bethlehem.
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