Preparing for Christmas Eve.

Every Christmas Eve we’re invited to the manger. The manger is the centre-piece of every nativity set. And the manger central to the account of the very first Christmas. Have you ever asked why?

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:7

This text seems to indicate that the manger is used out of random, poor circumstances, that Joseph and Mary found themselves in. The inn was full, and therefore, a manger was used.

Case closed; no big deal.

That is until we hit verse 12!

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:12

All of a sudden, the manger becomes a crucial piece of information! For the shepherds, the manger becomes a Christ-Child locator! In modern times, using phone GPS, seeing the manger would equate to a “You have arrived at your destination.”

Moreover, this would be an evidential component for the shepherds. This would give them proof that their experience with the angels was authentic; that it truly happened. But maybe you’re wondering, “Why is it so evidential?”

Simply stated, because it’s a manger. Don’t let your beautiful nativity set normalize it. Don’t let the artistic design, and well-marketed features fool you!

The manger only matters because of Jesus.

The manger is only beautiful and meaningful because Jesus laid in it. Still not convinced? Consider the following definition of a manger:

“the place in a stall or stable where the food of cattle is placed…Old tradition says that Jesus was born in a cave…so, a place for food for cattle may have been cut in the side of the rock.”

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

If you’ve seen animals feeding, you’re starting to get an image that doesn’t fit so well with the nativity set on your mantle. The manger would have been rugged, aged and discoloured. It might have even had the odour of cattle breath from animals’ drool. It’s not a tidy picture, is it?

That’s the point! The lowly, aged, discoloured, rickety, manger is only a centre-piece because of who is lying inside of it. ONLY because of Jesus Christ! The Son of God, the Messiah, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Our Coming Saviour, Jesus transforms the ugly into something beautiful and meaningful! And He does it again as an adult!

The cross only matters because of Jesus.

Many years later, He would transform the cross. An instrument used by authorities for torture and execution is now beautiful and meaningful because of Jesus. Although He was innocent, He died on that cross, taking the penalty for our sins. As the angel declared to Joseph in a dream:

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:20-21

The tomb only matters because of Jesus.

Let’s not forget, that He would transform the tomb as well! A place for the dead to be buried would become beautiful and meaningful. Although Jesus died and was buried; three days later He rose again! The resurrection, displaying His deity, and His power over sin and death!

Soon after, Jesus would ascend to heaven, to prepare a place for those who would trust in Him, and follow Him. And He promised to return on day.

We are invited to the manger.

On Christmas Eve, we’re invited once again to the manger. As we kneel by his bedside (if you will), we must contemplate what we believe. Each one of us must seriously consider the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb, and ask ourselves a couple of important questions:

• Do I believe in Jesus?
• If so, will I trust in and follow Jesus?