“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 clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:6-7.

Mary and Joseph were travelling to Bethlehem because of a census decreed by Caesar Augustus.

A very pregnant Mary travelled with Joseph to the town of his family to be counted.

When they arrived, there was understandably no room at the inn.

How could an innkeeper not make space for a woman obviously so close to the time of her delivery?

When her son, Jesus, was born-

Mary wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in an animal’s feeding trough. A feeding trough?

That is so disgusting!

The Son of God placed in a lowly manger!

But we see in this picture that Jesus didn’t come to make the entrance of a king, but to lower Himself to become wholly God and whole man, so that He could die for us!

So in that lowly stable and filthy manger, we see our King.

Imagine the glory of God present in such a place.

This Christmas carol helps me see His humanity and His willingness to leave His exalted place in the heavens to be born in the lowliest of places in order that He might live a sinless life, and die on the cross to save me and each of us from the consequences of our sins.

So that, as the carol says-
He can “take us to heaven to live with Thee there.”

(PR)