Away in a Manger
Jesus being born and laid in a manger had nothing to do with chance.
And you, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.
Micah 4:8
It wasn't just any manger. It wasn't some random stable. And they weren't just any shepherds.
When Joseph couldn't find a room where his young wife could deliver her baby in private, he took her to the most prominent place he could see that would afford them the privacy they sought - Migdal Eder, which is Hebrew for Tower of the Flock.
You see, Bethlehem at that time was the commercial center for the sacrificial lambs that were sold at the temple in Jerusalem. Migdal Eder lay just outside of town, on the road from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. It was where the shepherds who watched over this sacred flock took ewes who were about to lamb.
Once a lamb was born, these shepherds would swaddle them to keep them from thrashing around while they finished up with the mother, and lay them in a manger that was kept ceremonially clean until they could inspect the lamb to see whether they were without spot or blemish.
When angels appeared to these shepherds to announce their savior's birth, they fully understood the significance of the signs they were told to look for. They knew exactly where to go.
What more fitting place for the birth of the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world?
A lot of focus is placed on Christmas being the birth of the King of Kings. But first, he was our sacrificial lamb. The second person of the Triune God who created the universe had already made the choice in eternity past to enter into our messy human existence and offer himself up as the ultimate sacrifice to redeem us from our sins, release us from bondage to the powers of darkness, reconcile us to God, adopt us into his eternal family, and grant us eternal life with him.
And all we have to do to receive this extraordinary gift is to believe it.
The King came first as a baby in a manger to bring salvation and reconciliation. Soon - sooner than we may realize - he'll return with his mighty army to bring judgment and restoration. You don't want to be on the receiving end of his judgment. But his salvation is still available for all who will receive it.
Merry Christmas!
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