“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7
JESUS! Our LORD and SAVIOR! The MESSIAH and LIGHT for all in this world and beyond. What a remarkable person HE was and continues to be today! Before HIS coming, many prophecies foretold HIS arrival. Isaiah 9:6 describes this KING with such grandeur that it seemed HE would arrive in opulence and affluence, associating with the great and mighty while distancing Himself from the poor and lowly. This expectation made JESUS' life a shock to many in HIS day and beyond.
JESUS was born to parents who were not expecting HIM. In fact, HE might be seen today as an "unplanned" child. Many such children are aborted and never see the light of day. It took GOD sending messengers and going the extra mile to ensure that this child was not perceived as an accident by Mary, who bore HIM or her Joseph her fiance. Moreover, GOD had to make sure that Mary?s marriage arrangements were not canceled by JESUS' coming, and that JOSEPH accepted everything. As far as they were okay, society could wait! While this may sound simple, it was anything but easy. Mary endured significant shame for a pregnancy she claimed was from GOD?an unusual situation that had never been heard of before. Although Scripture had foretold this event (Isaiah 7:14), many were oblivious when it actually happened. His parents faced rejection, and HE too was not expected in the home where HE was placed.
Before HIS birth, a decree required everyone to return to their hometowns for registration as part of a census mandated by the Roman emperor. Mary was heavily pregnant during this journey, which is why she gave birth shortly after they arrived in Bethlehem. It must have been a difficult journey for her, filled with pain and discomfort, while Joseph, inexperienced in such matters, struggled to find ways to make her comfortable along the way. They likely took longer to arrive than others, which is why every place was fully booked upon their arrival, leaving them with no place to rest. It was at this moment that JESUS chose to enter the world!; the time for HIS manifestation was now?not when it was convenient for them. There is no record of a midwife present to assist them, meaning Joseph and Mary had much to figure out on their own. This undoubtedly added to their stress.
Unable to hold back any longer, they gave birth to JESUS in a manger. A known characteristic of a manger is that it stinks! It is far from where any human being would choose to live. I have visited barns several times, and they never smell good! Yet right in that barn, animals witnessed the birth of the MESSIAH. There was no cradle as we think. HE may have been put on hay or a trough the animals used. There were no family members present to rejoice with them?no grandparents?only each other?and no doctor to check if HE and Mary were perfect. Yet right there, a miracle occurred: the SAVIOR of the world had come?not in grand style but in a manner so humble that it defied all expectations.
Did GOD not have a plan? Why did it seem like HIS coming was so chaotic? GOD created the beautiful skies above; why did it appear as though HIS entrance into our world was disorganized? This choice of circumstances proved that HE came not for lavish living but to be among the weak, forgotten, and broken?those whom society typically overlooks. We see this truth throughout HIS ministry as HE reached out to the abandoned and lost. GOD had a plan and knew exactly what HE was doing; HIS thoughts were not aligned with our own or even Mary and Joseph.
To further demonstrate that GOD had a plan all along, two significant events occurred: angels rejoiced at HIS birth and signaled shepherds to come and witness the arrival of the GREAT SHEPHERD; wise men traveled from afar to worship the only truly wise KING of kings in a manger! What were these wise men thinking? How could they come from such distances to honor a baby in a manger?, you would say. Aren?t they supposedly wise? But I tell you, JESUS is beyond normal.
Today, JESUS is in the business of cleaning up every mess in our lives. HE entered what we might consider chaos but proved through HIS birth that HE embraces humility. There is no place HE will not go for our sake?even into the darkest and dirtiest of places. Today, JESUS wants to make a wonder out of you; nothing about you stinks enough for HIM to turn away. Your circumstances are not too complex for HIM. HE faced rejection too; HE understands what that means.
As you surrender your life to HIM, HE is able to create something wonderful out of you?just as HE became and is a wonder Himself. JESUS proved that no matter where you start from, you can end well?just as HE did. Today you can give HIM everything and just as HE carried our burdens did years ago, HE will gladly do it again today. Say this prayer with me:
Heavenly FATHER, I thank YOU for my life. I admit that I am a sinner. Please have mercy on me. I know that without YOU, I cannot navigate this life. Today, I accept YOU as my LORD and personal SAVIOR; please take control of my life.
Dear LORD,
I am grateful that YOU came. Thank YOU for LIGHT. Thank YOU for nothing about me hinders YOUR love or pushes YOU away. Today, I choose to open up for your divine makeover of my life. Please help me to continually live in surrender to YOU. Glory be to YOUR HOLY NAME in JESUS mighty name. AMEN!
