LESSONS FROM THE MANGER
(Luke 2:7)
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
THE MANGER TEACHES US:
1) THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST
--He stepped off the Exhaulted Throne, and into a Lowly Manger
--He stepped out of His Royal Robe, and into Swaddling Clothers
--He left the Worship of Heavenly Hosts to be exposed to the Ridicule of Sinners
--He left the Sweet Fragrance of Incense to the Stench of a Stable
(Phil 2:5 8) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
(2 Cor 8:9) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
(Matt 8:20)And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
2)THE BROADNESS OF SALVATION
If Christ was born in a Castle, then He would have been an exclusive Savior
But Christ being born in a lowly manger, made Him inclusive to all peoples
3) THE CALLOUSNESS OF MAN
To Turn away a Woman great with Child indicates:
--Lack of Compassion for one’s fellow man
(ill. of the parable of the Good Samaritan)
--Obvious Greed
-if Joseph had been a rich man, his money would have talked
4) THE COMMITMENT OF JOSEPH AND MARY
--Totally Trusted in God
--Non presumptuous in their Expectations
--Lack of Complaint in their spirit
