Tag manger

Who was in the MANGER?

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Who Was in the Manger?
The question, “Who was in the manger?” directs our thoughts to a singular event in human history: the birth of Jesus Christ. The identity of the One lying in that humble setting reveals profound truths about God’s plan for mankind.

The Messiah
The child in the manger was the long-awaited Messiah, the Anointed One sent to save humanity. Andrew declared in John 1:41, “We have found the Messiah.” The angels echoed this truth to shepherds, proclaiming, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). This Messiah came not just for Israel but for all mankind, as Matthew 1:21 reveals: “He shall save his people from their sins.” Paul emphasized in 1 Timothy 1:15 that Christ’s purpose was to save sinners.

Alpha and Omega
The baby in the manger was more than just the Savior; He was the eternal God, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). While the world saw a helpless infant, in Him dwelled the fullness of deity. His coming was the intersection of the Creator stepping into His creation.

Name Above All Names
The child born in Bethlehem carried the name above all names, one that is unequaled in power and significance. Acts 4:12 declares, “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Philippians 2:9 states that God exalted Jesus and gave Him a name above every name.

God’s Only and Beloved Son
This infant was God’s only begotten and beloved Son, sent to fulfill His divine mission. Mark 9:7 records God’s declaration: “This is my beloved Son: hear him.” Peter confessed in Matthew 16:16, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” As God’s Son, Jesus was uniquely qualified to reconcile humanity to the Father, demonstrating both God’s love and His justice.

Eternal Life Giver
In the manger lay the giver of eternal life. John 1 portrays Him as the Word, the source of life and light for all. Jesus Himself said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). This eternal life is not only a future promise but a present reality for those who believe in Hime and obey the Gospel.

The Root and Offspring of David
Finally, the child in the manger was both the root and offspring of David, fulfilling prophecy and confirming His rightful place as King. Revelation 22:16 proclaims, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, worthy to reign forever (Revelation 5:5).

The one in the manger was no ordinary child. He was the Messiah, the Alpha and Omega, the name above all names, God’s beloved Son, the eternal life giver, and the root and offspring of David. While we don’t know when Jesus was born, we take this time of year as an opportunity to talk to folks because many are already thinking about Him. It’s an opportunity to remind the world of who Jesus truly is and why He came: to offer salvation and eternal hope to all who believe. Let’s use this season and every season to share the good news of the Savior who changed everything.

Agape,

Spencer

5 Myths about the BIRTH of Jesus

The Preacher Leave a comment

Yes, I can hear your eyes rolling after having read the title, perhaps thinking, “Another holiday bashing lesson.”

Before you toss this bulletin aside, know that this article is about seizing opportunities as they become available. Every year for about 5 or 6 weeks, the world is talking about Jesus. [1Co 16:9; 2Cor 2:12]

We might as well join in the conversation, but more accurately. (Where have we heard that before? Acts 18:26)

We can have friendly conversations about Christ with the hopes that we may lead others to Him.

Many of the Myths about the BIRTH of Jesus surround the popular manger scenes on display and many of the pageants performed this time of year. The rest are based on assumptions of what people think the bible says.

The FIRST Myth is that Jesus was BORN on December 25th (or January 6, or 7 according to some denominations). If you were to ask the average person when Jesus was born, they would say, “Dec 25th of course!” When you point out that no date is revealed, they may say, “It doesn’t matter, let’s just all agree.”

How can we have the conversation? Instead of taking the “you’re wrong, here’s why approach” we might ask, “do you know a day of birth that we are certain about?” The day of Pentecost is the day the church BEGAN. [Mat 16:18, 28; Acts 2]

The SECOND Myth is that the shepherds came to worship Jesus and brought Him gifts. My favorite unscriptural song this time of year is the little drummer boy. Full of emotion, zero scripture.  

How can we talk about this? The shepherds truly did see the star and hear the announcement of His birth, the angel saying, “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” [Luke 2:12]. What did they do? They went to INVESTIGATE the words of the angel to see the sign. “So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child” [Luke 2:15- 17]

The FOURTH Myth is that Joseph & Mary RECEIVED the wise men at the manger. What does the Bible say and how can we have a conversation about it?

Perhaps you could show folks the scriptures where Herod ordered children under 2yo and younger be killed. “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.” [Matt 2:9-12] This same passage has Joseph & Mary RECEIVING the wise men in their “HOUSE” after they returned to their home from Bethlehem.

Which brings us to the FOURTH Myth; the Myth that there were THREE wise men. The bible says there were THREE kinds of gifts of “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” The number of wise men is unrevealed. The divine text simply states, “behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem” [Matt. 2:1].

Why do we do this? The goal is to get folks to read for themselves the biblical narrative. Perhaps we could invite our friends to read the BIRTH story with us and they would see it for themselves. If folks read it, perhaps they’ll question the many other false things they have heard.

Which brings us to the FIFTH Myth, that this is a HOLY DAY (Holiday) we are commanded to observe. Many folks are CEO believers (Christmas & Easter Only). Some are commanded to attend a midnight mass. Clearly the BIRTH story of Christ is important especially as a fulfillment of prophecy.

Why should we talk about this? There is a day specified that we are commanded to observe; A Memorial of His Death, upon the first Day of the Week. Jesus commands us to remember His Death each first day of the week.

“…this do in remembrance of me.” [Matt 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-23; 1Cor 11:17-34; Acts 20:7]

     — spencer