A Savior's Crib

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Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
- Luke 2:11-12
 
Can you see the surprising twists in today’s passage?
 
A Savior has been born, but he’s born in the town of David rather than the city where the Temple stands. He is the Messiah (literally, the Chosen One) but these poor shepherds can get access to him. In fact, the sign they’re to use to identify him has everything to do with his poverty and lowly situation in life.
 
The Savior doesn’t descend from heaven in flashes of lighting and peals of thunder. He doesn’t enter the world in comfort and luxury. Even in infancy, Jesus has no bed for his head.
 
How can a poor kid from a small suburb become a Savior? Actually, we should even say “become,” should we? In today’s passage Jesus is described as a Savior, as the Messiah, the Lord. There’s no talk of potential or possibility. The angel doesn’t say that he might grow up to be a Savior or that if he plays his cards right he’ll get to be the Messiah. The angel exudes confidence that this poor baby will fulfill his grand destiny.
 
Don’t judge the Savior by his crib.
 
Imagine the shepherds rushing to see the child and returning home hopeless when they saw his humble surroundings. Wouldn’t that be tragic?
 
All too often we bump right up to the threshold of joy and turn back because we see rough wood and straw and very little gold. We need to pay closer attention to find joy, to find our Savior in the manger. As the poet said:
 
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes, a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
 
Will you purpose in your heart today to receive Jesus wherever you find him? Will you invite him to surprise you with his presence in unexpected places? Will you ask him to give you eyes to see him today?

2 Comments

Nice! Credited to Tolkien or Bilbo?

Great message and I was glad to see one of my favorite Tolkien quotes! I have "The Gospel According to Tolkien" if you want to borrow it!

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