Meaning in the Manger

A divine arrival confirms a divine purpose.

Introduction:

During the Advent season each year, our hearts are drawn to the familiar narrative that encapsulates the very essence of Christmas—the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Luke 2:1-7, we find the profound story of Joseph and Mary, ordinary individuals chosen for an extraordinary purpose. Today, we explore the powerful meaning of Christmas — even more specifically the “Manger” itself--and the profound meaning it holds for Joseph and Mary, as well as for our own lives.

Before we get into that— I want to speak just briefly about the “meaning” of something. Or even more specifically, how we can impart meaning to something—

Here are some specific ways to give something "meaning":

How can the manger have meaning?

Connect it to something else that is meaningful.

Engage with it deeply.

Find beauty in it.

Find purpose in it.

Connect it to something else that is meaningful:

For example, we might find meaning in our work by connecting it to our values or our desire to make a difference in the world. The manger is connected with Jesus

Engage with it deeply:

We can deepen our understanding and appreciation of something by engaging with it fully, through reflection, discussion, or creative expression. We spend this time each year to reflect and think deeply

Find beauty in it:

Beauty can be found in all sorts of things, from nature to art to human relationships. When we appreciate beauty, we are connecting with something that is beyond words and that can bring us a sense of peace and joy.

Find purpose in it:

Purpose can be found in our work, our relationships, our hobbies, and our spiritual lives. When we find purpose in something, we are giving it meaning by aligning it with our values and goals.

This story is absolutely packed full of inspiration and glimpses of the sovereignty of God.

There are three primary highlights — amazing things we can observe in this passage of scripture:

One is that Jesus’ birth is not a myth but an actual part of human history.

Another is that Jesus’ birth fulfills ancient prophecy, and thus fits into a larger picture.

And finally - Jesus’ birth makes the meaning of life itself accessible to all people, and it gives us purpose in living.

A. The birth of Jesus is not a myth, but part of history.

The author Luke places specific markers of time into the passage. He connects it to something else that has meaning for people:

Luke 2:1 NIV

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Luke 2:2 NIV

2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

Luke 2:3–4 NIV

3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

1. The rulers mentioned confirm a very specific period of time. (v.1-2)

Luke does even more of this in chapter 3. He places the birth of Jesus in a context. That gives it meaning.

The manger has meaning because it connects us to Jesus the Savior.

This is not some mythical/or theoretical story— In Jesus’ time on earth, we can observe lots of mythology in the Greek and Roman system of worshiping their gods. There is no specific time in those myths— they aren’t real! The Jesus of history is real, and he was born to real parents, in a real time, in a real place. This would be like someone today mentioning something that happened when Joe Biden was president, or Mike DeWine was governor of Ohio—or Matt Yoder was a pastor at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church---We who are alive now— we know that it was an actual real time. That’s one of the beautiful aspects of scripture here-- With Jesus— It’s rooted in facts. History confirms that these were real people living in a real time. That should give it meaning for us. But another aspect of grasping the meaning of the manger is connecting with it deeply.

B. The birth of Jesus fulfills ancient prophecy. (v.4-5)

Little did the rulers of the world realize that their actions were aligning with the sovereign plan of God. In fulfilling the prophecy, Joseph, a descendant of David, travels to Bethlehem with his betrothed, Mary, who is with child by the Holy Spirit.

1. The Old Testament mentions the birth of the Messiah several ways.

One of the classic scriptures is

Micah 5:2 NIV

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Bethlehem is a very special place. We’ve mentioned this before. Some very powerful events have happened there— way back to the story of Ruth! Remember that— Also this is the place where Jesse— David’s father raised him. Joseph is listed as a descendant of David— from the house of or family line of David!

Micah wrote these words— AFTER David had lived— This is most likely the passage that sent King Herod into his fits of rage— we won’t get to present that part of the story to you this year, but it was Herod’s advisors that looked back into the scriptures of their time, after the wise men arrive— and they most likely found the Micah prophecy.

So we have the location of his birth, which may indicate the family line that the Messiah would come from— in a specific time in history, but that wasn’t the only thing that was foretold:

The manger has meaning because we study it deeply and find it beautiful.

But there already has been some indications that this child is a fulfilment of prophecy:

Now earlier in Luke chapter 1:26, we read that God chose Mary— we touched on her a couple weeks ago. He could have probably selected a woman that already lived in Bethlehem. Joseph is the descendant of David— and Mary is the virgin— but they need to get to Bethlehem— how did that happen?

He could have had some little private business transaction to require Joseph to be in Bethlehem--- No--- A decree from Caesar Augustus himself---he was somehow “inspired” with the idea to take a census of the entire Roman empire— and every person was required to travel back to their hometown to be registered?

Another powerful Christmas prophecy is also in Isaiah— we’ve studied this before:

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

6 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A beautiful description of the coming Messiah— people were watching and waiting for this to happen— and it does right here in Luke 2!

When we consider all the variables involved here— we can join Mary in that wonderful little verse found in

Luke 2:19 NIV

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

We find meaning in the things that we contemplate and think about deeply. Have you considered the complexity— and the simplicity of this event in history? For God so loved the World, that He gave His only Son--- We take the time each year to consider these timeless events— over and over, and they gain meaning the more deeply we get to know them.

We also find beauty in the rugged and humble beginnings that God chose for His entry to the world— the incarnation is a beautiful concept. We find the manger has meaning because we see the beauty of God’s mercy and grace. Its a relationship with Jesus and His- story.

a. The birth of Jesus was not random, it was ordained by God.

Look at verses 4-5:

Luke 2:4–5 NIV

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

It has meaning because we connect it to other things, and because we consider it deeply, and we find such beauty in it--— but the manger has meaning also in the fact that we find our purpose in it.

C. The birth of Jesus makes the meaning of life accessible to everyone. (v. 6-7)

Luke 2:6–7 NIV

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Tradition and story tellers have shaped some of this narrative— we envision a weary Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem basically in labor— that they arrive in the night, no room anywhere for them to stay and somehow poor Joseph has to borrow a barn to shelter his wife and baby. This can paint Joseph in a poor light. What was he thinking? All this travel, and he didn’t even plan where to stay? And if you think about it--- it actually could paint God in a poor light too!

We just set it all up— a specific young woman — a virgin who is faithful---in Nazareth— Mary— betrothed in marriage to a specific young man who is a descendant of David, an emperor who sends a decree throughout the empire to get Joseph to Bethlehem, the specific place where the birth would happen— and God suddenly lets this all go to chance, and seemingly says, Ok Joseph, you’re on your own buddy??? Some of this can be resolved by looking very closely at the exact language that Luke and the other Gospel authors use to describe some of these events.

A scholar and expert in middle-eastern history and culture, Kenneth Bailey, worked over 40 years as a lecturer and historian teaching in seminaries and institutes in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem, and Cyprus. He, in his book, “Jesus through Middle-eastern Eyes” (We have it on display in our library) states that scripture doesn’t necessarily support this traditional narrative:

Joseph and Mary were probably there for a longer period of time. Perhaps several days. They were visiting to be registered in the Roman Census.

The words used in scripture are always a good starting place to understanding the meaning of a phrase or concept. There is some support here for Jesus being born in a guests house. Perhaps a distant relative of Joseph’s, or even a hospitable stranger.

There was no “room in the INN”? Or as the NIV states, there “was no guest room available”

The Greek word that is used here in the scripture text is katalyma— translated “guest room” or “a place to stay”. This is why we see the NIV translation “guest room” available for them. It’s only used in Luke’s gospel one other time, when Jesus refers to the “Upper Room” to have the last supper. The other supporting evidence is that the word for INN is used by Jesus in his telling of the parable of the Good Samaritan— This person who happens to be a Samaritan, helps the injured man, and then takes him to the “Pandocheion”. That’s the word Luke— and Jesus uses for an “INN”.

Scholars like Bailey and many others believe Joseph and Mary were probably able to stay with a family there in Bethlehem. He was a descendent of David— as many others who were visitors probably were! There is no way the culture of that time would allow for a visitor, who is from the family line, with a pregnant wife, to have been left out in the cold to fend for themselves. They were most likely housed in with another family— or several, in a living quarters where animals were in an adjacent space— like a little additional “porch” or stable attached— the animals were allowed to come into the warmth of the house through little passages, and that’s were they were fed. The crowded house, with no guest room—forced Mary and Joseph— and perhaps even a mid-wife or other females to assist them, they would have found the most private place to have a baby— and then subsequently swaddle him and lay him in the only makeshift bed they could find— the manger.

But I want you to think about this with me:

This whole situation, regardless of the exact specifics, makes Jesus’ birth pretty extraordinary, and pretty humble— and it makes Jesus a guest— a visitor, a baby born in a borrowed room, and laid in a makeshift bed, the manger where the animals were fed. Either a hollowed out stone, or something made of wood— a perfect little place for a newborn infant to be swaddled and placed to lay.

Helping others to know and understand Christmas is our purpose in life.

The meaning of Christmas lies in the humility of the Incarnation. God didn’t choose a royal court but an ordinary setting for the birth of His Son. This teaches us that the message of Christmas is about God meeting us in our humility, our brokenness, and our simplicity. In embracing the humility of Christ, we find the true meaning of life—knowing and being known by a God who humbly draws near to us. This is how we find meaning in the manger.

In the midst of the mundane—surrounded by the everyday activities of a bustling town—God entered into human history. The arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem was not announced with fanfare in the corridors of power but with the quiet rustle of swaddling clothes in a stable.

The meaning of the Manger challenges us to find the extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary. It beckons us to recognize that God is present in our daily lives, in the routines and rhythms of the mundane.

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem reminds us that our lives gain profound meaning when Christ becomes the center of our ordinary existence.

When he becomes “Immanuel” for you and me— God takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary.

To close, consider the word Immanuel: It comes from

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

- It’s translated “God with us” or “God with man”

-It is the word used to describe Jesus, and describes the “incarnation” of God as a man.

-Immanuel points us to understand that God desires intimate and close connection with us. Through Jesus, we are invited into a close personal relationship with God.

Immanuel (God with us)

Conclusion:

As we reflect on the meaning of Christmas, let us embrace the profound truth that God enters into our world, fulfilling His promises with humility and grace. Christmas is not just a historical event but an ongoing invitation to experience the presence of Christ in our lives. That no one is excluded— and we really mean that… No one is left out.

“God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.”

Peter Enns

May this Christmas be a celebration of the Savior who meets us in our simplicity, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

We have a little song here for you to reflect and connect. The decorations and activities and music of this holiday are not the point— all these things are great, and they are supposed to remind us and direct us to the deeper meaning of the incarnation— the coming of God as a man. I hope you are finding a deeper and more meaningful experience this Christmas season.