Story Of The Manger Series

Christmas Stories:

All of these people played a part in the larger story...

I want to play a part in what God is doing

These stories were given to us for an example...

Take a look at some of the stories that surround the birth of our Savior...

Text:

Luke 2:1-7

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed , every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was , that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo , the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Introduction:

You Don’t Normally Expect To Find...

You don’t expect to find...

(bc something that valuable isn’t found there)

People don’t normally do Christmas shopping at McDonalds.

You know what you’re getting...

They go there to eat a BigMac and some fries and usually don’t expect much more.

You don’t expect to find true love at McDonalds or vacuum cleaners for sale.

If I told you as much, you would think I was crazy.

How much more strange is this sign to the shepherds?

To find the Messiah of the world - not only as a baby - wrapped in common cloths - but also lying in a manger?

People don’t normally go rummaging through mangers.

A manger was a trough either carved into some stone or made out of wood - in which they placed hay for animals to eat out of.

The cattle and the donkeys would go there looking for hay - because that’s what mangers were made for.

They weren’t made for babies, much less the prophesied Messiah

The angel had just told the shepherds that this baby was the Savior, Christ the Lord

And that He could be found in a nearby manger

Not in a nearby mansion, but a manger

1. Not a Mansion, A Manger

In simple, direct language, Luke presents the Christmas story:

No trees or lights,

Just a manger and animals in a stable outside a too-crowded inn

After the birth and the child was wrapped in swaddling clothes, And Mary laid Him in a manger, an animal’s feeding trough.

She may have filled the manger with hay to make a soft bed.

Despite popular Christmas card pictures, the surroundings were dark and dirty

Everything pointed to obscurity, poverty, and even rejection

The King of kings born into poor and humble circumstances—

born as a human, born to serve

He could’ve chosen to be born in a mansion to a Governor’s son

But He chose to be born in a manger to a Carpenter’s son

He chose to leave His riches in Heaven

And come to this earth for us

And to enter and endure all of its troubles

To be born in a manger!

For us!

2. He Was Born in a Manger B’c He Didn’t Need a Mansion

2 Samuel 7 shows King David living comfortably in his palace,

While the ark of God remained in a tent.

He didn’t think that was right, because God promised to be present within the ark.

He was living in a palace while God was “living” in a tent.

He wanted to build a temple for the ark.

2 Samuel 7

1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.