A lesson from the manger - Luke 2:7

Originally written December 25, 2002, edited December 2014

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7 ESV

As I watch and listen to the different sights and sounds this Christmas season, I am intrigued by the details of the Christmas story and how Christ was brought into this world. Each year in the weeks leading up to Christmas day I try to spend time soaking in these details from the various gospel accounts, and each year it seems a new detail is highlighted for me. This post was originally an email written in 2002 and is the first entry in my book, which I am reworking, hence starting here. I'm excited to revisit these details and hope that looking back with me helps us both look forward to the joyful celebration of our Savior's coming, today and always. 

At Christmas, Christians celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Emmanuel - God with us. Reading Luke's account tells us of the birth of Jesus and reminds us that Jesus made His grand appearance into this world in a not-so-grand style. Contrary to what Jews were expecting of their Messiah, He came quite simply, humbly, and quietly into an ordinary family as a baby.

Sit with that thought for a moment. Jesus Christ came into this world as a baby, and a newborn at that!

For anyone who has had a baby, or anyone who has held a newborn, really, really ponder this thought, this reality. All too often, though, I leap forward to the 30-33 year old Jesus and don't really consider the marvel, the wonder that happened in that stable so many years ago. God became man; He took on flesh, but not as a powerful adult prince of this world, no... as a tiny, helpless, newborn baby. The newborn stage of life is pretty rough. Sweet moments, sure, but it's messy, tiresome, and lots of chaos.

To top it off, He wasn't even born in the meager comforts of a home. Nope. He was born in a stable surrounded by dirty animals, the unavoidable stable smells that linger, and loud animal noises. There wasn't a crib or bassinet awaiting Him. A trough provided our Lord's first bed. That's right, a trough, the dining plate for animals. Most of us don't spend much time in stables, but to bring this reality a little closer to home, can you imagine placing your child in the bowl out of which you feed your animals? (Um, no!) 

These details, though not new, resonated with me in a new manner this year. (I love how Scripture does that: be new, without being new.) Scripture reminds us that Christ is with His followers always (Matthew 28:20), but the details of His birth served to remind me that just as Jesus arrived humbly, quietly, and into a most unexpected time and place, so I can expect Jesus to continue to make His appearance in my life a similar manner.

It's easy to think of finding Jesus in the clean halls of a church, within the security of a Bible study, in the company and conversation of deeply cherished friends, in beauty, peace and tranquility. It's so easy that sometimes I forget to look for Christ there. Yet, as His birth shows us, we will also find him in some quite unexpected, messy places: on the "other side of the tracks," in the face of a homeless person, through relational strain and hardship, in grief (of all kinds), in depression, infertility, loneliness, financial distress, potty training, tantrums (of any age), health issues, cancer, work troubles, interrupted plans and naps, difficult bosses, teachers, or coworkers, pain, pain, and more pain, unmet expectations, hopes and dreams...

Yes, Jesus can still be found in messy, smelly, filthy places and circumstances.He will be found in the stables of life. What's even more remarkable is that He chose such a place to start His journey here on earth, then chose to make His home in hearts that mirror the stables. Quite amazingly, He is not deterred by the noisy, filthy, stinky, chaotic mess that is my life, my heart. He chose to come into this mess. He came for this mess. What a glorious and magnificent truth this is! Definitely worth a celebration!

Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Psalm 147:3 reminds us that, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." There may not have been room in the inn, but how I pray this Christmas that there is room in your heart and mine to seek the Savior who came as a tiny baby, who binds up and heals, who enters into the messy stables of our hearts and lives. Oh may there be room and may our hearts rejoice at this lesson from the manger.

Have a very merry Christmas and may you be blessed by the true Spirit and hope of this season. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

In Christ's love and grace,

Jessica