December 2023
Steve Russo
Unless you’ve been around a farm, you’re probably not familiar with a manger or feeding trough. But one plays a significant role in the Christmas story.
Luke, author of the Biblical book that bears his name, mentions the feeding trough three times as he tells the Christmas story. Two of these are found in the following verses.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke 2:6-14 (NLT)
Why was the manger so important? Consider: Jesus came into the world with nothing; it was a sign to the shepherds so they would know when they found baby they were looking for; it proved what the angel said was true and reminds us he didn’t come to be a King on earth because his kingdom is not of this world.
It’s another human touch to the Christmas story. Think about a young mother with a brand new son finding a feeding trough ready to lay her baby in. It was a humble beginning for the Savior of the world. Imagine God coming down to the chaos and mess of real life. What an amazing display of His love for us!
This Christmas when you see a Nativity scene, be grateful that you have a God who can completely relate to and understand the challenges in your life.
