"What Is In The Manger?"

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  Luke 2:12

 

When the shepherds went to the manger, what they saw was a beautiful baby boy.  When the magi went to see the babe, they saw a baby boy who was to be the king of the Jews.  All they saw was a baby lying there.  But lying there was so much more than just a baby.  It was so much more than a king. 

 

Lying in the manger was the eternal God.  It was love that was lying there.  It was a cross and an empty tomb in the manger.  It was a crucified Savior who would take away our sins.  Lying in the manger was the hope of mankind.  It was the one who would pay the ransom for mankind.  It was the one who would take our punishment and deliver us from judgment.  It was the one who would free us from bondage.  Lying in the manger was the answer to all our problems.  It was a Lamb who would be sacrificed for our sins.  It was the Prince of Peace.  It was the one who would reconcile and mend our broken relationship with the Heavenly Father.  It was the Healer of our bodies.  It was the way, the truth and the life.  Lying there was the one who had all power and authority in heaven and earth.  It was the one who was there at the beginning and by whom all things were made and exist.  It was the one who will be there at the end. 

 

When you look at the manger, what do you see?  Do you only see a babe that is wrapped in swaddling clothes?  Do you only see a beautiful baby boy?  Do you only see a Christmas story?  If so, then look again.  There is so much more lying in the manger than a sweet little baby boy.

 

Have a great day.  Is a baby the only thing you see when you look at the manger?