Power in the Manger

The Great hero of the faith, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, had this to say about the manger in the Christmas story, “For the great and powerful of this world, there are only two places in which their courage fails them, of which they are afraid deep down in their souls, from which they shy away. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ. No powerful person dares to approach the manger… for this is where thrones shake, the mighty fall, the prominent perish, because God is with the lowly.”

The kings of men are born in palaces, heralded by 21-gun salutes and sophisticated ceremonies. In comparison, it’s remarkable to think of the simplicity of Jesus’ arrival that first Christmas. But God’s ways are not man’s ways. The book of Matthew says “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The circumstances of Jesus’ birth set the stage for His entire ministry. Gritty shepherds were sent to spread the news. Foreigners paid Him tribute while the leader of His own people tried to have Him killed. Our King came to earth to save us from sin for eternity, to bring even the least of us a revolutionary message of love.

God truly is with the lowly. The Bible says the “first will be last and the last will be first.” This Christmas, remember the manger. Recall the humility with which our King arrived. And rejoice in God’s plan for our salvation! Share the hope you have with a friend; show His love by serving those in need around you. Tell them of the power of our Lord who came quietly to a manger, and died in humility and agony on a cross. Tell them that though He died, he rose again. He has overcome the world, He lives right now, and He wants to save each of us. Nothing is more powerful than this.