The King, the Baby, and the Manger

Martha Olawale

Comprehending the story of the birth of Jesus can overwhelm our human minds. It is hard to fathom why the creator of the world would leave His throne to be born as a vulnerable little baby just to save His creations. Although everything was made by Him, He laid them all down to walk the path of humanity.

The culmination of Christ’s birth, envelopes the best love story ever written. God chose to come through the most unlikely woman, in the most unlikely town, and among the most unlikely creatures. His mother, Mary was a young virgin (Luke 1:27); His birthplace was Bethlehem, a town, so small, it was not one of the major tribes of Israel. Micah 5:2 states, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah…” Because there was no room in any inn, the King of the universe was born in a manger among animals (Luke 2:7).

The birth of Christ is the greatest occurrence in human history. An unworthy world welcomed the purest being to pass through its core, yet His first visitors were lowly shepherds. He did not have a red carpet sprawled before Him, nor the nobles of the world lined up to affirm Him. He left an eternal kingdom, to dwell in a temporary world and abandoned the worship of Cherubs for the shouts of “crucify Him.”

The Christmas story is the story of the King of kings leaving His throne on high, to be conceived by a young virgin, hunted by a jealous ruler, born in a manger, live perfectly as a common man, and unjustly crucified by His creations. While this might not be the most picture-perfect story or measure up to our definition of a hero’s welcome and exit, it is a story written in the language of love and the blood of Christ. It is good news; the birth of hope and joy; and the rescue of man from the grips of sin and eternal death. Announcing His birth, the angels said to the shepherds in Luke 2:10 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

We might not fully understand why the season of Christ’s birth shines a bright light on the world each year, regardless of everything coming against us but we know what the season represents. It is much more than the brightest light or the whitest snowfall. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifice God made for us to be reunited with Him and the depth of His love for humankind.