Come To The Manger Just As You Are

Luke 2:1-14,

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.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be the sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there were with the Angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” *

What do you think of what happened over two thousand years in that manger in Bethlehem? If you were one of the people in the Christmas story who would it be? Are you like the shepherd? Working hard, but existentially alone in that big old pasture of life. Are you the king or queen of the situation, in a high place and battling the intellectual arguments against Christ? Are you like Mary and Joseph in a difficult situation and you don’t know where to take refuge? Are you an inn keeper? Or, are you King Herod? Come To The Manger Just As You Are!

The shepherds were tending the sheep in the fields, when some angels dropped by for a visit. It was then that they declared the glory of God and announced the birth of Jesus. These shepherds were very frightened! Cold, or hot, always on guard awaiting the next predator that they may have to protect their flock from, the life of the shepherd was not easy. 

I recently saw some well-acted movies depicting the life of lighthouse keepers. In the modern depiction of this lifestyle they show how the lighthouse keepers start out disciplined but, they soon turn to drink, paranoia and even murder. It seems to me that unless one depends upon God in the hard jobs that they must do, this is just what happens. This is what is occurring in our world right now.

The solitary nature of what a shepherd has to do, just like the lighthouse keeper, carry spiritual significance. In the solitude of these jobs one can either go crazy, or one could recognize the deep need for spiritual grounding and thus create the desire to run towards Jesus. Life is raw for the shepherds of life and this is no place for those of little faith.

What of the three kings? Through the study of the night sky they were able to discover that a most unusual star had arisen. A spectacular celestial event which pointed to the birth of a king. Was it God’s grace or their own skill that led them to the infant Jesus? Or, was it both? Does God use our giftedness to point towards salvation? 

These three kings represented the upper echelons of their respective societies. Something significant had occurred and they had to go see about it. They were the elite people of their times who were used of being at all the happening and pivotal events. Sort of like being at Davos or Art Basel but, only old-school. This however, wasn’t just any old event though, it would be the birth of the Savior of the world and the three kings would see that he had enemies in high places. What would they do about it?

What of Mary and Joseph? Can we see their part in the Christmas story and relate to it? Like Mary and Joseph we are asked to carry Jesus to the world, can we say yes, to that. This world, then and now, sorely needs a Savior but you will be persecuted for bringing this message to the world. Will you still choose to bring him into the world and place him in your home, your school or your workplace? What about your politics? 

Then, there is the inn keeper. He was depicted badly in all my church plays. He was portrayed as possibility insensitive to the plight of Mary and Joseph and the fate of their soon to be delivered baby. The inn keeper was in the hospitality business but, perhaps this census arranged by the Roman Empire had taxed his patience. 

The census brought many people into the region of Bethlehem. The infrastructure and resources of this little town were stretched beyond its’ limits. Mary and Joseph needed to get settled in and safely housed for the night. Mary, who was in an advanced state of pregnancy, was surely exhausted after her trip, anyone could see that. So, the Inn Keeper’s famous utterance of, “no room at the Inn;” seemed to ring a cruel tone. 

But, perhaps Mary wasn’t the only one exhausted. Are we like the Inn Keeper? Tired by our job and its’ impossible demands? There probably was no more available rooms and people had been asking the same question all day, “hey, I need a room, anything available?” Business is not necessarily evil because it deals with its’ limitations. Isn’t it unfair to expect the inn keeper to solve the problems brought about by the actions of the Roman Empire and most especially by God whose purposes and meaning were brought out by the birth of our Savior in the most humblest of ways?

I suppose a few of you are wondering how many of us will relate to King Herod in the Christmas story. How many of us have the kind of power and ruthlessness and could be so monstrous. Listen to yourselves, let’s get spiritually serious for a minute. The truth is that we are sinners, that means our nature is to think and do bad things. We have lied, plotted to hold on to our power, lusted, and had murderous intentions. Some of us have done some horrible things, I venture to guess that someone who is reading this blog has.

In our way and with the power that has been allotted to us, we have at times used it in sinful ways. There is nothing too hard for the Savior of the world though, that his atoning death can not cover. That is, if we are truly sorry for our sins and go before the Lord to ask for his grace and his forgiveness. There is a young man who sits listening at the back of the church saying, you don’t know what I have done. God can’t possibly forgive me. Come To The Manger Just As You Are.

So, just who are you this Christmas season? Grab your sheep and head for the manger. Take your journey from a far away land to the Lord. Bare Jesus to those who need him. Tired Inn Keeper, you are not the Savior of the world so lay that burden down on Jesus’ shoulders. Finally, there are lots of King Herod’s wherever I look, please know that your life is heading in a way that is in direct opposition to Christ and you must make a U-Turn before it is too late. Jesus can right the car of your life and send you in a new direction. Keep the focus on the star or you will lose your way. If you follow it, you will meet Jesus!

Special Christmas Greeting: I looked at my blog statistics from the past year to see what countries from around the world have viewed my blog. Below, is a greeting to each blog reader from this past year. I hope these are correct translations. Also, please excuse the fact that my keyboard may not have all the correct accent marks.

Merry Christmas, Buon Natal, Boas Festas, Frohliche Weihnachten, Hristos Razdajetsja, Glædelig Jul, Geseënde Kersfees, Vessela Koleda, Prettige Feestdagen, Shub Christu Jayanti, Selamat Tahun Baru, Mboni Chrismen, Bara Din Mubarrak Ho, Merii Kurisumasu, Maligayang Pasko, Sarbatori Vesele, Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal. Jôyeux Nöel, ¡Feliz Navidad!, Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun, Srećan Božić, Zalig Kerstfeest, Eid Milad Saeid, Feliz Natal, Seun-tan chu-ka-hae-yo, and Frohe Weihnachten!

* to read about the three kings and Herod read Matthew 2: 1-12. Also, please note there are other people in the Christmas story that I did not cover in this year’s Christmas blog. Feel free to read Matthew, Mark and Luke’s infancy narratives and find other people whose stories that you may relate to.