A Manger and not a Mansion: Luke 2:1-7.

A Manger and not a Mansion, Luke 2:1-7

The Night of Miracles

a. The taxing was a miracle (Luke 2:1-3, 5); Proverbs 21:1

b. The trip was a miracle (Luke 2:4); Micah 5:2

c. The timing of the birth was a miracle (Galatians 4:4-5)

d. The incarnation was a miracle (John 1:14)

The Miracle of the Manger: Have you ever wondered why Christ was laid in a manger? Why not a mansion?

A. The Manger Depicts His Rejection

1. There was no room for Him in the inn

a. Room for business

b. Room for pleasure

c. Room for others

2. The amazing rejection message of John 1:1-14: The Word was God (v. 1); The Word was the Creator (v. 3); The world was made by the Word (v. 10); His own knew Him not (v. 10); His own received Him not (v. 11); Christ is the Word (v. 14).

3. The world still rejects Him today

B. The Manger Depicts His Redemption

1. The two signs given by the angels to the shepherds: a. Wrapped in swaddling clothes b. Lying in a manger (the Lamb of God)

2. John the Baptist called Him the Lamb of God (John 1:29)

3. It was not far from the manger to the cross

4. We must not forget the cross at this time of the year

5. Paul’s descriptions of the birth tied to the cross: a. Galatians 4:4-5, To redeem them that were under the law b. Philippians 2:6-8 even the death of the cross

6. The Lamb in Revelation (5:9-14; 7:10-17; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7)

C. The Manger Depicts His Reachability

1. The first announcement to humble shepherds

2. We must be careful not to restrict and complicate the message a. He chose the manger instead of a mansion b. He receives all who come to Him (John 6:37)

3. Let us return to the manger

4. The Gospel that meets us where we are (John 3:16).

What does the Birth of Christ mean to you?

Is that your Savior in the Manger? On the Cross?