Wandering Crusader #267 Away in the Manger

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:10-14

Christmas is a special time of year. What truly makes it special is that whether you are a Christian or not, there is something to celebrate. If you are a pagan, you can take joy in saying that Christians coopted your celebrations. If you are an atheist or an agnostic, you can watch all the hoopla and shake your head about the foolishness and commercialization of it all. Of course, there are other religions and many other ways to celebrate as you prefer.

It's easy to feel good about the story of God becoming flesh and blood like us and bringing peace on earth. And why not it is all accomplished by an innocent babe in a manger. Angels sing while people look on, admiring the baby the way people always do. There are no demands made on anyone except maybe a few shepherds, and they seem happy to sightsee. The scene itself is the very picture of peace and goodwill.

Then, He left the manger, grew into a man, and everything changed. He began to preach the righteousness of God. He called people to emulate God’s holiness in a radical way that went beyond the letter of the Law. He called people into a personal relationship with God. He said that for that to happen, everyone needed a spiritual rebirth that only He could give.

He told people, even the priests and religious leaders, that they did not merit heaven and could not work their way there. He said that being as good, or better, than the next guy was not good enough. People hated him for the things He said and what He asked of them. They still do, except for the month or so when He is still in the manger.

Away in the manger, He is no threat to our self-righteousness or our self-sufficiency. Away from the manger, He is the living condemnation of both.

Maranatha