The Manger & Beyond
The Manger & Beyond: Rediscovering God's Glory in the Ordinary
As the festive season approaches, we often find ourselves caught up in the glittering decorations, the rush of gift-buying, and the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. But what if we took a moment to step back and consider the profound simplicity of the very first Christmas? What if we looked beyond the tinsel and wrapping paper to rediscover the extraordinary message hidden within the ordinary circumstances of Christ's birth?
The nativity story, familiar to many, reveals a beautiful truth about God's nature. In choosing the setting and characters for the most pivotal moment in human history, God made deliberate choices that speak volumes about His character and His intentions for humanity.
Consider the cast of this divine drama: Mary and Joseph, ordinary people from a small town. The setting: Bethlehem, a humble village, and a lowly manger. The first witnesses: simple shepherds tending their flocks. Each element of the story was carefully selected not to impress the elite or cater to the powerful, but to humble the proud and elevate the lowly.
In this divine narrative, we see a God who intentionally makes Himself accessible to all. The King of Kings wasn't born in a palace, surrounded by nobility and guarded by soldiers. Instead, He entered our world in the most humble of circumstances, in a place where anyone – regardless of social status, race, or background – could approach Him.
This Christmas, we're invited to ask ourselves a challenging question: Have we, in our modern celebrations and interpretations of faith, inadvertently moved Jesus out of the 'manger'? Have we, perhaps unintentionally, restricted access to Him through our actions, attitudes, or lifestyles?
The angel's proclamation to the shepherds rings clear: "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." The emphasis on 'all people' is not to be overlooked. It's a reminder that Christ came for everyone – the homeless, the addicted, people of all races and backgrounds. No one is excluded from this invitation to behold God's glory.
But to truly experience this glory, we must draw near. From a distance, a manger might look ordinary, even unappealing. It's only when we approach closely that we discover the divine presence that transforms everything. This season, God is calling us to come closer, to behold His glory "as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Moreover, we're challenged not to come alone. The joy of Christ's birth is meant to be shared. As we encounter the Saviour, we're called to invite others to experience His presence too. The shepherds, after witnessing the miracle, didn't keep the news to themselves – they spread the word about what they had seen and heard.
Sometimes, God's choices for our lives may seem as puzzling as a king born in a manger. We might find ourselves in situations or places that feel beneath our expectations or far from the glorious visions we believed God had for us. In these moments, we can draw comfort and wisdom from the Christmas story.
Remember Jacob's experience in Genesis 28. Fleeing from home, using a stone for a pillow in what seemed like an ordinary place, he encountered God in a life-changing way. Upon waking, he exclaimed, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." This serves as a powerful reminder that God's presence can transform the most ordinary circumstances into sacred ground.
The choice of shepherds as the first recipients of the good news is equally significant. God bypassed the influential and famous, choosing instead those who were watching in the quiet of the night. This tells us something profound about how God selects His messengers:
As we reflect on these truths, we're challenged to examine our own lives. Are we positioning ourselves where we can hear God's voice clearly? Are we cultivating the qualities of a true shepherd – compassion, vigilance, selflessness? Are we ready to respond immediately when God calls, even if it means leaving our comfort zones?
This Christmas, let's reconsider where we've placed Jesus in our lives. Have we inadvertently moved Him to a place of restricted access? Have we turned our faith into something that's only available to those who can 'afford' it, either financially or socially? Or have we kept Him in the 'manger' – a place where all can come and encounter Him freely?
Let's also reflect on our response to God's call, even when it leads us to unexpected places. The manger – humble and lowly as it was – became the epicentre of God's glory on earth. Similarly, the places and circumstances in our lives that seem least promising might be exactly where God chooses to reveal His glory most powerfully.
As we celebrate this season, may we be like the shepherds – ready to hear God's voice, quick to obey, eager to share the good news, and unashamed to worship the King, no matter where we find Him. May we have the discernment to recognise God's presence in the ordinary moments of our lives, and the courage to invite others to experience that presence with us.
In doing so, we'll discover the true meaning of Christmas – not in the grandiose displays or perfect circumstances, but in the humble, accessible, transformative presence of Christ, who came to bring joy to all people, in all places, for all time.
As the festive season approaches, we often find ourselves caught up in the glittering decorations, the rush of gift-buying, and the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. But what if we took a moment to step back and consider the profound simplicity of the very first Christmas? What if we looked beyond the tinsel and wrapping paper to rediscover the extraordinary message hidden within the ordinary circumstances of Christ's birth?
The nativity story, familiar to many, reveals a beautiful truth about God's nature. In choosing the setting and characters for the most pivotal moment in human history, God made deliberate choices that speak volumes about His character and His intentions for humanity.
Consider the cast of this divine drama: Mary and Joseph, ordinary people from a small town. The setting: Bethlehem, a humble village, and a lowly manger. The first witnesses: simple shepherds tending their flocks. Each element of the story was carefully selected not to impress the elite or cater to the powerful, but to humble the proud and elevate the lowly.
In this divine narrative, we see a God who intentionally makes Himself accessible to all. The King of Kings wasn't born in a palace, surrounded by nobility and guarded by soldiers. Instead, He entered our world in the most humble of circumstances, in a place where anyone – regardless of social status, race, or background – could approach Him.
This Christmas, we're invited to ask ourselves a challenging question: Have we, in our modern celebrations and interpretations of faith, inadvertently moved Jesus out of the 'manger'? Have we, perhaps unintentionally, restricted access to Him through our actions, attitudes, or lifestyles?
The angel's proclamation to the shepherds rings clear: "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." The emphasis on 'all people' is not to be overlooked. It's a reminder that Christ came for everyone – the homeless, the addicted, people of all races and backgrounds. No one is excluded from this invitation to behold God's glory.
But to truly experience this glory, we must draw near. From a distance, a manger might look ordinary, even unappealing. It's only when we approach closely that we discover the divine presence that transforms everything. This season, God is calling us to come closer, to behold His glory "as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Moreover, we're challenged not to come alone. The joy of Christ's birth is meant to be shared. As we encounter the Saviour, we're called to invite others to experience His presence too. The shepherds, after witnessing the miracle, didn't keep the news to themselves – they spread the word about what they had seen and heard.
Sometimes, God's choices for our lives may seem as puzzling as a king born in a manger. We might find ourselves in situations or places that feel beneath our expectations or far from the glorious visions we believed God had for us. In these moments, we can draw comfort and wisdom from the Christmas story.
Remember Jacob's experience in Genesis 28. Fleeing from home, using a stone for a pillow in what seemed like an ordinary place, he encountered God in a life-changing way. Upon waking, he exclaimed, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." This serves as a powerful reminder that God's presence can transform the most ordinary circumstances into sacred ground.
The choice of shepherds as the first recipients of the good news is equally significant. God bypassed the influential and famous, choosing instead those who were watching in the quiet of the night. This tells us something profound about how God selects His messengers:
- He looks for those who can hear His voice amidst the noise of the world.
- He chooses those whose daily lives reflect His own nature – caring, protective, willing to risk everything for those in their care.
- He seeks those who understand the urgency of His message and are willing to leave everything to follow His call.
As we reflect on these truths, we're challenged to examine our own lives. Are we positioning ourselves where we can hear God's voice clearly? Are we cultivating the qualities of a true shepherd – compassion, vigilance, selflessness? Are we ready to respond immediately when God calls, even if it means leaving our comfort zones?
This Christmas, let's reconsider where we've placed Jesus in our lives. Have we inadvertently moved Him to a place of restricted access? Have we turned our faith into something that's only available to those who can 'afford' it, either financially or socially? Or have we kept Him in the 'manger' – a place where all can come and encounter Him freely?
Let's also reflect on our response to God's call, even when it leads us to unexpected places. The manger – humble and lowly as it was – became the epicentre of God's glory on earth. Similarly, the places and circumstances in our lives that seem least promising might be exactly where God chooses to reveal His glory most powerfully.
As we celebrate this season, may we be like the shepherds – ready to hear God's voice, quick to obey, eager to share the good news, and unashamed to worship the King, no matter where we find Him. May we have the discernment to recognise God's presence in the ordinary moments of our lives, and the courage to invite others to experience that presence with us.
In doing so, we'll discover the true meaning of Christmas – not in the grandiose displays or perfect circumstances, but in the humble, accessible, transformative presence of Christ, who came to bring joy to all people, in all places, for all time.
Recent
Archive
2025
2024
September
November
2020
February
June
No Comments