Left in the Manger

"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."

Luke 2:11-12

It's that time of year when we as Christians celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

It's that time of year when the world celebrates a holiday vacation.

The world gladly accepts this holiday with its party's and presents and they leave baby Jesus lying in a manger.

When left in a manger, they don't have to think about how this baby grew up to be the Saviour of the world.  They don't have to think about how this child grew and went about His Father's business,

(Luke 2:49) or how as the Son of man, He turned the water into wine.  (John 2:6-11)

When the world keeps Jesus as a baby in the manger, they don't have to think about how He fed the five thousand, (John 6:1-13) or how He raised Lazarus from the dead.  (John 11:1-44)

They can ignore the blind, the deaf and the lame that were healed by The Son of God, and that He set His face towards the cross to die for their sins, (John 19:17-30) and that He rose again, (Luke 24:6) and that He will one day return!  (Acts 1:11)

When the world leaves Jesus as a babe lying in a manger, they can ignore the fact that the very reason why He was born, was so that He could die; for me and for you. (John 18:37)

Christian, have you left Jesus in the manger?  Have you been distracted by the busy-ness of Christmas that as you shop and bake and visit family and friends, you leave out the Saviour?  Do you forget to tell others about this babe in the manger, who didn't stay in the manager, but grew up to be our Saviour?  A Saviour who gives us purpose for our everyday living, and our hope for our future in Heaven?

As we reflect the Miraculous birth of our Saviour this year, may we remember He is no longer in a manger, but is seated at the right hand our Heavenly Father.

The babe in the manger is not the end of the story...

    It was only the beginning...

        But that's just me!

"Jesus was so much more than just a baby, and the fulness of His power and the glory will be displayed when He returns."  Dr. Paul Chappell