THE MIRACLE OF THE MANGER 12-17-17 By Pastor

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THE MIRACLE OF THE MANGER 12-17-17 By Pastor Rhonda Howard OPENER: Story of Grandpa… JESUS KNEW THE ONLY WAY THAT HE COULD RESCUE US WAS TO COME DOWN TO WHERE WE ARE. Matthew 1:23 ………and they will call him IMMANUEL, which means ‘God is with us.’” HE IS CALLED IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US BECAUSE HE CAME TO US. HE DIDN’T ASK UP TO COME UP TO HIS LEVEL. HE CAME DOWN TO US. THE MANGER OF CHRIST Luke 2:7 ……She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…… Many times down through the years I have gotten a call or text from a young couple in our church who were expecting a baby. So I drove to the hospital to see them. . I remember recently as our family gathered to see Boston born, the newest addition to our family. And as I held that newborn baby in my arms, two things amazed me. The first thing is that the almighty and infinite God entered our world in exactly that way – as a little child. I was overwhelmed just thinking of that. The second thing that amazed me was the place where that baby was born. It was comfortable, clean, warm and brightly lit. It was one of those rooms they call a birthing suite, equipped with all the latest technology. It was exactly the sort of place where you'd want your baby to be born. But what struck me, as I admired that hospital room, is that Jesus was born in such a different place. The truth is that Jesus was not born in an immaculate birthing suite, Jesus was born in a manger - a place where they feed animals. WHY THE MANGER? Of all the places he could have been born, why was Jesus born in a stable and a manger? Why the manger? You might say, “Well, it must have happened that way in order to fulfill the scriptures. Jesus was born in a manger to fulfill the prophesies in the Old Testament - that's why.” But in the Old Testament there are no prophecies like that. None of the prophets foretold that Jesus would be born in a manger.

Why the manger? You might say, “Well, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. And so he was born in a place for shepherds, in a manger.” Now, it's true, that shepherds would often take shelter out in the fields, in a stable. Usually, that place was just an underground cave. If you go to Bethlehem as a tourist…they'll show you a place like that in shepherd's field, a cave that has been used by shepherds for centuries to takes shelter from the rain and the wind. But shepherds don't live in those places. And they don't give birth in those places. Shepherds were treated as outcasts, they were the poorest of the poor but not even a shepherd would be born in a manger. Even shepherds had homes of their own that were safe and warm. Why the manger? You might say, Jesus was born in the manger because there was no room in the inn! It wasn't something that was planned – it was just an accident.” But in the life of Christ there were no accidents. Everything was planned, down to the last detail. Of all the places Jesus could have been born, why the manger? I think to answer that question, first you need to go and look at a real manger and see what it's like. If I took you tonight to visit that manger, three things would impress you: 1. FIRST, A MANGER IS COLD It's a damp sort of cold that chills your right to the bones. The only heat, is the body heat of the cows, when they come in to feed and when they breathe, it makes clouds of steam, in the freezing air. It's cold in the manger. 2. SECOND, A MANGER IS DARK Our manger is located underground, beneath the barn. So even when the sun is shining, it's dark in the manger. 3. THIRD, A MANGER IS DIRTY It's full of mud, manure, dust and cobwebs and it smells of must and mold. And as the cows eat, they slobber and drool. In the summer there are flies and spiders and insects, and swallows nesting in the rafters. There's no such thing as a clean or hygienic manger: a manger is cold, dark and dirty.

THE MIRACLE OF THE MANGER THE HUMAN HEART IS LIKE THE MANGER – COLD, DARK AND DIRTY. IT’S COLD BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW THE LOVE OF GOD. IT’S DARK BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE LIGHT OF HOPE THAT CHRIST GIVES. IT’S DIRTY BECAUSE WE ARE STAINED BY SIN.

But the miracle of Christmas – the real miracle – is ………………… Jesus meets us in that place where we feel utterly lost, hopeless and helpless. Jesus meets us… in the darkness of our grief and sorrow. Jesus meets us… in the blackness of our despair. He comes into our lives when we feel unloved, unlovable and alone, when inside we feel cold and lifeless on the inside. Jesus meets us …in all the mess and the filth of our sin. When we've done things that are unforgivable.

WHAT BED ARE YOU LYING IN TODAY? Christ wants to come where you are to rescue you. He promises new life. New birth for you right where you are. Just as Christ was born in a cold, dark and dirty place He wants to bring new life to you. He isn’t asking you to come where he is. He isn’t asking you to crawl out. No, he comes where you are and leads you out. All you have to do is take his hand. Isaiah 43:19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. HE OFFERS NEW LIFE – A REBIRTH – A FRESH START. Believe today that the miracle of Christmas is the new life that Christ offers you right where you are!