The Christmas Carols: Past, Present, & Future HopeSample

Day 7

Manger Throne

Read: Hebrews 4:15; Romans 5:8

I love our house at Christmas. Meaningful decorations fill each room, including three nativities. One set is a Willow Tree nativity. The faceless characters with long carved bodies evoke emotion like an impressionist painting. A second is a Precious Moments nativity, a childhood gift to my wife from her parents as a different piece every year. Because of that history, this set is a yearly reminder of the “good deposit” my wife’s family made in teaching her about Jesus. The third set is a Fisher-Price Little People nativity that we acquired when our son was a toddler. It allowed him to play with the pieces while learning the Christmas story. Shortly after receiving this nativity, he relayed his version of the story using the figurines. The angel came to Mary’s house and said, “Good news about Jesus. He came to take away our badness.” Then the angel tackled Mary.

Despite the differences among these nativities, there is one striking similarity. They all have baby Jesus asleep in a trough of hay. Each year, I am awestruck again that the God of the universe would humble Himself to THAT extent. The independent God coming as a dependent baby. The One who sits at the Father’s right-hand, lying in fodder. It seems so drastic . . . and so odd. Yet, there is a plan. Jesus comes as a baby to fully identify with our experience (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus comes in a mortal body to die to bring immortality to His people (Romans 5:8).

In the Old Testament, God’s presence hovered over the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, a place of grandeur and formality. Because of this, it is surprising to find the Savior in the manger. Perhaps Jesus was born in the stall to announce that the presence of God would no longer reside behind a curtain. The Spirit of God was moving from a grand room that few would ever see, to a public location where lowly shepherds and foreigners could visit. This move sets the stage for the Spirit of God taking up residence in the hearts and lives of believers today. The same God who lay in the manger, now resides within us!

This awesome truth is spoken of in “Manger Throne” (by Third Day et al). May we be reminded that, ”Our heart is a home for God’s own Son!”

Manger Throne

What kind of King would leave His throne
In Heaven to make this earth His home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In loneliness our King comes down.

Jesus, Jesus, precious One,
How we thank You that You've come.
Jesus, Jesus, precious One,
A manger throne for God's own Son.

You left the sound of angels' praise.
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this Baby's helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest.

What kind of King would come so small,
From glory to a humble stall?
That dirty manger is my heart, too.
I'll make it a royal throne for You.

My heart is a throne.
My heart is a throne for God's own Son.