What The Manger Can Teach Us About God’s Character
Christmas is approaching so quickly. It’s hard to believe it.
Hopefully, this reminder sets off excitement in your heart instead of panic. But no matter what you’re feeling, you might benefit from this reminder about Jesus’ birth:
Our Savior was born in a stable. Jesus was born among animals, and He rested His head where they feed.
Most of us know this already, so why is this detail significant?
Christ’s humble arrival can teach us a lot about God’s character; The one and only Savior came to Earth in the most unexpected way, and that’s the way God usually works, isn’t it? He uses humble, unexpected situations to display His glory and grace.
This is a theme throughout the Bible. Take a look at a few other examples in Scripture:
1. Moses had a speech problem, and he even pleaded with God to pick someone else, but God chose him and equipped him to lead a nation (Exodus 4).
“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’ Then the Lord asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.'” (Exodus 4:10-11)
2. Zechariah and Elizabeth were old, and they thought they were unable to have children. However, God blessed them with a son who we know as John the Baptist (Luke 1:6-25).
“But the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord.’ … Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.'” (Luke 1:13-15, 18)
3. Gideon’s army started with 32,000 men, and his enemy’s had 132,000 men. From there, God instructed Gideon to make his army even smaller, bringing it down to just 300 men. Then, God gave him victory (Judges 7).
“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.’ … The Lord told Gideon, ‘With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.'” (Judges 7:2,7)
These are just three of the many examples in the Bible of God displaying His glory and power in the midst of unlikely situations.
This Christmas, let’s rejoice that God sent His own son to live, serve, and die for us. But let’s not stop there. May we also celebrate the way that God sent Jesus to us. A way that showed how His miracles are not dependent on our circumstances, wealth, or power, but on His unchanging character.
This fact was true on Christmas day long ago, and remains true for each of us today…
“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” -Luke 2:7
