Why The Manger

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: Why The Manger
Text: Luke 2:1-20

The truth is that Jesus was not born in an immaculate birthing suite, Jesus was born in a manger - a place where they feed animals.

And the question is:
Why the manger?
Of all the places he could have been born, why was Jesus born in a stable and a manger? Why the manger?
You might say, “Well, it must have happened that way in order to fulfill the scriptures. Jesus was born in a manger to fulfill the prophesies in the Old Testament - that's why.” But in the Old Testament there are no prophecies like that. None of the prophets foretold that Jesus would be born in a manger.

Why the manger? You might say, “Well, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. And so he was born in a place for shepherds, in a manger.” Now, it's true, that shepherds would often take shelter out in the fields,
Why the manger? You might say, “Well, – that's simple! Jesus was born in the manger because there was no room in the inn! It wasn't something that was planned – it was just an accident.” But in the life of Christ there were no accidents. Everything was planned, down to the last detail.

WHY the manger?

Of all the places Jesus could have been born, why the manger? I think to answer that question, first you need to go and look at a real manger and see what it's like.

Firstly, a manger is cold. It's a damp sort of cold that chills your right to the bones. The only heat, is the body heat of the cows, when they come in to feed and when they breathe, it makes clouds of steam, in the freezing air. It's cold in the manger.
Secondly, a manger is dark . Our manger is located underground, beneath the barn. So even when the sun is shining, it's dark in the manger.
And thirdly a manger is dirty. It's full of mud, manure, dust and cobwebs and it smells of must and mold. And as the cows eat, they slobber and drool. In the summer there are flies and spiders and insects, and swallows nesting in the rafters. There's no such thing as a clean or hygienic manger: a manger is cold, dark and dirty.
At Christmas, we tend to romanticize the manger.

We turn it into something beautiful and heavenly – a First Century birthing suite. But friend a real manger just isn't like that.

The truth is that Jesus was born in a place that was
COLD … DARK….and DIRTY.
Now, the question I put to you is: Why was Jesus born in a place like that ?, a manger that was cold, dark and dirty
I believe behind the fact of the manger, there lies a great spiritual truth.
The truth is that Jesus is always born in the manger.
Every time Jesus comes into our lives, he is born in the manger.
The human heart is like the manger, cold, dark and dirty .
The human heart is cold because we do not know the love of God.
The human heart is dark because we do not have the light of Christ or the hope of salvation.
The human heart is dirty because we are sinners and our hearts are stained and soiled by sin.

But the miracle of Christmas – the real miracle – is that Jesus is willing to be born into hearts like that!
No matter how cold your heart is, Jesus is willing to be born there. No matter how dark your heart is, Jesus is willing to be born there. No matter dirty your heart is, or how sinful your life has been, Jesus is willing to come in, enter and clean your heart.
All we need to do on our part is confess that we need him, and invite him to come into our hearts and lives.
When we do that, the wonderful miracle of that first Christmas is repeated all over again: Jesus is born again in the manger of our hearts.
Jesus meets us ALWAYS at the manger. He encounters us in that place where we feel utterly lost, hopeless and helpless.
Jesus meets us… in the darkness of our grief and sorrow .
Jesus meets us… in the blackness of our despair.
He comes into our lives when we feel unloved. unlovable and alone, when inside we feel cold and half frozen to death.

Jesus meets us …in all the mess and the filth of our sin. When we've done things that are unforgivable.
Jesus comes , to people like that, unloved, unlovable and alone
Jesus comes , to people who are just like US.
Because Jesus is always born in the manger , born into hearts that are dark, cold and dirty.
No matter how cold your heart is, Jesus can be born in your heart.
No matter how dark your heart is, Jesus can be born in your heart
and fill it with his light.
No matter how dirty your heart is, Jesus can be born there and wash it clean with his forgiveness.

Jesus is always born in the manger, into hearts that are dark, cold and dirty.
The bible say's in : 1 John 1: V8-9
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness .

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME
SAVE MY DIRTY AND DARK SOUL AT THIS SEASON IN JESUS NAME

share this meal
Happy Christmas in advance