Festivities fill our days. Decorations grace our homes. Colorful lights adorn the neighborhoods. Sweet scents of cinnamon, fudge, and frosted sugar cookies tantalize our noses. Families gather around tables overflowing with scrumptious holiday favorites. Gifts speak love and remind us of the best gift ever given—a baby born over 2000 years ago.
At Christmas we revisit that miraculous story, the very reason we celebrate, of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manager.
Of a young virgin mother and carpenter father.
Of a journey to Bethlehem.
Of angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest.”
Of shepherds kneeling before the baby.
Of Simeon rejoicing over the long-awaited Messiah.
Of a star appearing in the sky sending the magi on a long journey to Bethlehem.
Isn’t it wonderful?!? The beauty of a tiny baby coming to earth with angels proclaiming his birth.
Yes, this story of the miraculous birth of our Savior should be cherished, celebrated, and wondered over.
Because the baby in the manger was God made like those He came to save.
The baby in the manger was Love come down.
The baby in the manger was Light coming to chase away the darkness.
But the story doesn’t end in the manger with the shepherds, cows, and all the other animals looking adoringly at the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes as our Christmas programs portray.
You see, that baby in the manger was just the beginning.
The baby in the manger grew to be the boy who taught in the temple.
The baby in the manger grew to be the man who turned water into wine.
The baby in the manger became the man who gathered twelve unlikely disciples who became the feet of the gospel, except Judas, but that’s a story for another holiday.
The baby in the manger became the man who acknowledged the worth of children by welcoming them to himself even when others commanded they go away.
The baby in the manger became the man who turned societal norms on end by associating with the unlovely and outcasts.
The baby in the manger became the man who challenged the self-righteous.
The baby in the manger became the man who died on the cross for you and for me.
The baby in the manger became the conqueror of sin and death.
That baby in the manger became the rescuer of souls that were lost.
That baby in the manger became our Savior and Redeemer.
That baby in the manger is the King of Kings reigning now.
Christmas is about so much more than the baby lying in the manger.
