Born in a Manger
Christ was born in a stable, a
place where animals were kept. The stable was probably a cave and the manger a
feeding trough for animals. The birth of the Savior, the greatest event in all
history, occurred in the most humble of circumstances. Jesus was the King of
kings, but he was neither born nor did he live like a king in this life. God’s
people are kings and priests, but in this life we must be as he was humble and
simple.
A Savior… Christ the Lord
At his birth Jesus is called “a Savior” and it has several
implications, (1). As Savior, he has
come to deliver us from sin, Satan’s domain, the ungodly world, fear, death and
the condemnation of our transgressions (cf. Mt.1:21). (2). The Savior is also “Christ the Lord” who has been anointed as
the Messiah of God and the Lord who rules over his people (cf. Mt.1:1). No
person can have Jesus as Savior while not submitting to his Lordship.