God Speaking

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first born, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Luke 2: 6 – 7)

Every year, as far back as I can remember, at Christmas time I set up a Nativity scene in my living room. My stable is still sturdy to stand and receive all the little figures that represent this amazing miracle. This year I had my little five-year-old granddaughter at my house, and she wanted to help me set it up. Children with their simple outlook on life have fascinating ways of looking at what we often take for granted and she asked many questions as we carefully arranged the scene. First, she remarked how old my stable looked and when we were setting up the sheep, she also had more questions about why they were going near a baby. I was able to tell her the story as we went along and explained what a stable was. This is when she asked me the most thought-provoking question, we all need to ask. 

Why was he born in a stable?

When the coming of a Messiah was prophesied in the book of Isaiah, the impression the readers get is that a mighty King is coming. 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9: 6)

This child was expected to look like a powerful King who would save his people. He would have been expected to be born in a majestic Royal Palace with a fanfare of trumpets and celebration and hundreds coming to worship him. So why did the Creator of the universe choose to become as a child in human nature and choose to be born in such humble circumstances?  

So many lessons for generations to ponder and so much for us as followers of Christ to learn from his humble beginning. 

Paul grasped the true meaning of Jesus’s birth 

“Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature, of a servant, who being made in human likeness. And as being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:  6 – 8)

So, as we come to worship this Christmas, yes we are worshipping a Mighty King, a Wonderful Counsellor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Prince of Peace, but also let us be aware of his humble beginning and his beautiful example of being a servant and walking and living with the common man, relating to every emotion mankind experiences.