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“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room
for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:6-7
Each of us have an image in our mind of that glorious night
when Jesus was born. Perhaps you picture
him in the traditional manner, lying in a wooden manger overflowing with straw,
while Mary and Joseph kneel in worship next to the manger. Perhaps you envision the bustling streets of
Bethlehem, due to the census, and a rude Inn-keeper shooing the pregnant Mary
and her husband away toward a stable behind the Inn. In your vision, were there cows, donkeys,
horses and sheep present at the miraculous birth? Much of our imagination of that night in
Bethlehem is derived from the Hollywood portrayal of the Nativity scene. For years people have put Nativities in
front of churches and homes, complete with straw, wooden lean to and wooden or
ceramic characters.
Scripturally, we know none of the above. We know that the expecting parents could not stay in the room where they intended to stay that night in Bethlehem. Perhaps it was the distant relatives of Joseph, perhaps it was a boarding home for travelers which was the custom in Persia during those times. In Greek the word used was katalumati, which means – a lodging place. So we don’t know what house it might have been, but this word is referenced in later scriptures: Mark 14:14 and Luke 22:11 which translate to guest room, so we can infer that the room Joseph and Mary were expecting that evening was for traveling guests.
History tells us that mangers during that era were actually hewn from stone and filled with water, grain or straw for the animals to eat. In some cases these were set up outdoors, just behind a dwelling and other times they were in a nearby cave hollowed out of limestone for some of the animals to be kept safe at night. There were also customs at that time that the animals were actually kept in a cavernous area below the dwelling, separated from the guest quarters but still part of the same structure.
For centuries people have speculated where this historical landmark is so that they may celebrate the birth of the Son of God. I’ve been to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and seen the location deemed accurate in the 3rd century AD and perhaps it is authentic. As I walked away from the church that day, I wasn’t filled with emotion or any sense of accomplishment. No, as I walked away it struck me that seeking out the historical landmarks is not the relevant in my Christian walk. The importance is to seek out the living Christ in my daily walk and strengthen my understanding of His teachings and examples to live out in my life.
I hold onto the traditional image of Jesus Christ, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger filled with straw. In my mind there is a stable; a wooden lean too, with a thatched roof from palm leaves. The donkey, cow and sheep kneel in adoration of the Christ child. Mary is exhausted, yet amazed and filled with love and emotion. Joseph is by her side, cradling her against his body, as they both observe the sleeping child in their presence. I hold onto this image because it represents to me the reverence I have for my Savior. Is my picture accurate? No, I can guarantee that it is not accurate, factual or proven by any man. That’s not important though, what is important is that my Savior was born so I may be redeemed.
Scripturally, we know none of the above. We know that the expecting parents could not stay in the room where they intended to stay that night in Bethlehem. Perhaps it was the distant relatives of Joseph, perhaps it was a boarding home for travelers which was the custom in Persia during those times. In Greek the word used was katalumati, which means – a lodging place. So we don’t know what house it might have been, but this word is referenced in later scriptures: Mark 14:14 and Luke 22:11 which translate to guest room, so we can infer that the room Joseph and Mary were expecting that evening was for traveling guests.
History tells us that mangers during that era were actually hewn from stone and filled with water, grain or straw for the animals to eat. In some cases these were set up outdoors, just behind a dwelling and other times they were in a nearby cave hollowed out of limestone for some of the animals to be kept safe at night. There were also customs at that time that the animals were actually kept in a cavernous area below the dwelling, separated from the guest quarters but still part of the same structure.
For centuries people have speculated where this historical landmark is so that they may celebrate the birth of the Son of God. I’ve been to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and seen the location deemed accurate in the 3rd century AD and perhaps it is authentic. As I walked away from the church that day, I wasn’t filled with emotion or any sense of accomplishment. No, as I walked away it struck me that seeking out the historical landmarks is not the relevant in my Christian walk. The importance is to seek out the living Christ in my daily walk and strengthen my understanding of His teachings and examples to live out in my life.
I hold onto the traditional image of Jesus Christ, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger filled with straw. In my mind there is a stable; a wooden lean too, with a thatched roof from palm leaves. The donkey, cow and sheep kneel in adoration of the Christ child. Mary is exhausted, yet amazed and filled with love and emotion. Joseph is by her side, cradling her against his body, as they both observe the sleeping child in their presence. I hold onto this image because it represents to me the reverence I have for my Savior. Is my picture accurate? No, I can guarantee that it is not accurate, factual or proven by any man. That’s not important though, what is important is that my Savior was born so I may be redeemed.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
Prayer:
Almighty God,
Often times we get wrapped around proving Your scriptures to meet our understanding and knowledge. Forgive us for our lack of faith and acceptance of Your word as it is, holy and without fault. Help us to grow from our study of Your word and to make it active in our life. Thank You for that amazing Christmas night, where regardless of the circumstance and situation, You brought Your Son to dwell among us. It was in the humblest of venues that He entered the world. Not in a palace, not in royalty. Through this humbleness and meekness, He opened the door of salvation to all mankind, not just the elite. That is the importance of the message of His birth in a manger not fit for the King. Amen
Almighty God,
Often times we get wrapped around proving Your scriptures to meet our understanding and knowledge. Forgive us for our lack of faith and acceptance of Your word as it is, holy and without fault. Help us to grow from our study of Your word and to make it active in our life. Thank You for that amazing Christmas night, where regardless of the circumstance and situation, You brought Your Son to dwell among us. It was in the humblest of venues that He entered the world. Not in a palace, not in royalty. Through this humbleness and meekness, He opened the door of salvation to all mankind, not just the elite. That is the importance of the message of His birth in a manger not fit for the King. Amen
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