What You Can Find in a Manger #1 – Love and a Place to Be

Even a year like 2020 cannot stop Christmas.  Though the celebrations may be smaller and travel a little closer to home, Christmas will still be on December 25th.  I think we might need to stop and take a look at the manger again.  The one that we see in front yard displays and the baby we find in there can remind us that if you look in the manger you just might find what you need for Christmas.

I think there are four things we can find in that manger that can change this year around maybe.  So when we look into the manger we can four things: Love, hope peace and joy.  We will take a few weeks and talk about what it is like to find these things in the manger that held the hope of the world.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.                                                                                             Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV)

Joseph and Mary have been married and they are awaiting the birth of Jesus and the news comes down from the government.  Everyone has to return to their hometown so they can be counted for tax reasons.  Mary is expecting any day they have traveled for days and I’m sure they are exhausted.  The problem with everyone going home is that places have a tendency to fill up.  That is what they run into when they arrive in Bethlehem.  They found themselves going place to place to find a place to lay their weary heads through the night.  Finally, someone takes pity and lets them sleep in the stable near his house.  The find a place to simply just, be.  They are tired, but now they can rest, until Jesus is born.  Not sure how many days or if it was the same night, but, there in that crowded stable they find a place to bring love into the world.

That is why the first thing we need to find in the manger is love.  We look for it everywhere at times and so many people have given up so much to find love.  It is too bad many people do not realize that for love to be truly experienced we need a place to be…

Together

Joseph and Mary have made this journey and stayed together.  Love is found that way.  Together.  Seems crazy to say it, but sometimes I think we forget that.  After all Adam being alone was the only bad thing in the creation.  God made us to experience life and love together.  So remember love starts when we are together.

On an adventure

Talk about a time to grow closer to together.  It is always on the adventures of life that we are changed.  It may not have been the adventure they dreamed of, but it became an adventure they or we would never forget.

That changes our world

Can there be a baby born in a stable that changes the world?  Since that first Christmas night all the world has changed unbelievably.  What started in a stable has changed kingdoms, leaders and lives.  Every great adventure has a life changing thing about it.  So make sure if you are going to live then make it an adventure for sure.

No matter where we lay our heads

It is awesome to think that no matter where we are if love is there then it is all good.  They traveled far and searched for a place to simply lay their heads down.  They were not home and yet because love was in that stable it could become a home for just a minute.  After all, remember as long as we are together on an adventure that changes our world no matter where we lay our heads love will always be there to guide us.

So in this manger in a stable near Bethlehem Mary and Joseph find love with each other and watch the world change.  Love is born that night, a love that will make all things new and usher in a relationship with God that has changed everything for us.  So as you prepare for Christmas this year remember to look for love in that manger.  Then let that love lead you to a greater life.