The group came to visit a first-time mom and see her newborn son. After greetings and congratulations, they walked over to the bassinet next to her bed. Expecting to see just a normal baby, they were overwhelmed with awe as they gazed at the infant. They had seen lots of newborns, but none had ever seen a child like this. He was holding a globe of the world in his tiny hand. Ok, my contemporary version and application of the manger scene we celebrate this week. But this raises a question we should ask ourselves. What image comes to mind when you gaze into the feeding trough? John Piper wrote, “Some stories reach back forever, forward into eternity, down to depths of mystery, and up to heights of glory.”
For too many, Jesus will remain in the manger as a little baby until next Christmas. All the singing, family gatherings, and candlelight services are merely yearly traditions. The baby in the manger has little significance after the holidays and they go back to daily life. However, we can shout a resounding BUT, He’s not in the manger, or even on the cross, or coming out of His tomb. He is forever seated at the right hand of the Father, the Almighty God. Jesus “is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Peter 3:22). He doesn’t remain behind on December 26. Through the Holy Spirit, He is present in believers every day of the year, every hour and every second of the day. He told His disciples, I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever (Joh 14:16). Now, through Him . . . His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2Pe 1:3). People will miss this truth for a victorious life if they leave Him in the manger.
We must look beyond a helpless baby and grasp His eternal reality. He existed from eternity past (2Ti 1:9); He was the creator for by him all things were created (Col 1:16); Now He is sustaining all things by his powerful word (Heb 1:3 NIV); And He will reign forever and ever (Rev 11:15). The baby in the manger was the Word becoming flesh so He could dwell among us.
His becoming flesh began when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall name Him Jesus (Lk 1:31). She was going to give birth to the Word, the Messiah and the Savior of the world. At that time, she arose and travelled 80 miles to a city in Judah to visit her relative Elizabeth. She by God’s power conceived a son in her old age (v36) was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary couldn’t comprehend all happening in her life, but she understood the tiny fetus in her womb was the promised Messiah. The unborn baby John who God sent to prepare the way for Jesus perceived his presence when Mary greeted Elizabeth. Keep in mind the embryo was only a few days old. John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb. The Holy Spirit filled her, and she gave praise the mother of her Lord had come to her.
Mary sang a song of praise we call The Magnificat, which expresses the spontaneous overflow of her soul. And Mary said: My soul exalts the Lord (Lk 1:47). Her song echoes the prayer of Hanna (1 Sam 2:4-7,9,10). It quotes the first three verses of Psalms 98. Her song let’s us know she knew exactly who her baby was and would be. We can divide the ten verses into four sections—Praise (vv. 46-47); benefits to Mary vv. 48-49; benefits to the world vv. 50-53; benefits to Israel vv. 54-55. Note although some say Mary was sinless, she said my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (v47). She also needed the Savior in her womb. Mary was the model of humble submission. She acknowledges all generations will count me blessed (v48) and the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name (v49). Yet, she called herself a humble bondslave (v48).
Verse 50 sums His great deeds for the world. His mercy is for all generations in whom is the fear of him. The word for generations can also be translated nations. It reminds Israel to remember all He had done for them and He would fulfill the promises He spoke to Abraham. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed (Gen 12:3). Paul explains, Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ (Gal 3:16).
Don’t leave Him as a baby in a manger. The incarnate God still has the Whole World in His Hands including you.
Sustaining Word for the Week: He’s got the itty bitty baby in His hands, He’s got a-you and me brother in His hands, He’s got a-you and me sister in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands.