The night was silent. It was holy. A Baby was born contrary to the laws of nature and placed in a manger. Angels shouted out His coming to humble shepherds on the hillsides. Wise men bowed the knee as they placed their gifts before Him. Little did they know how that one small Baby would change the world.
That was over 2,000 years ago.
Now on Christmas Day, many will remember that Baby once again. They will look at the cute nativity scenes, listen to the Christmas story, and perhaps even go to church that day. They will gaze upon the tiny baby lying in its porcelain manger on December 25 and be struck with the cozy picture and the warm, fuzzy feelings it gives them.
Then December 26 comes . . . and multitudes will leave the Baby lying in the manger.
It’s just another memory to tuck away until next Christmas. Just another heart-warming story to fill the holidays. Just a beautiful scene to pack into a box until they feel like taking it out again.
For what would you have if you dared to take that Baby out of the manger?
You would have a Boy that confounded the scholars of His day.
You would have a Being that ruled nature with just a few words.
You would have to deal with the Sermon on the Mount and all its commands to love, forgive, and be faithful.
You would find yourself asked to take up your cross and follow Him.
You would have to grasp a Man who loved His enemies, healed the sick, and raised the dead.
You would find yourself at the foot of the old, rugged cross . . . and all its implications on your life and soul.
You would be faced with the magnitude of the empty tomb and how that changed the course of history.
You would have to deal with this Baby that will be coming back on the clouds of heaven as the Lion of Judah, the King of the ages, and the Judge of the world.
You would find yourself face-to-face with a God who asks for your all. Your love, your heart, your life, your soul. And in exchange, He will give you eternity with Him.
The night is still silent. It is still holy.
But so many will leave the Baby lying in the manger.
My heart cries for they do not know what they are missing. They will not sing the song of the redeemed as the blood shed at that old, rugged cross washes away their sins. They will not know the peace that comes when a heart bows in complete surrender to the Savior of all mankind.
They will never know the joy from kneeling before the throne and saying,
“My King, how may I serve You today?”
There is so much more to the Baby in the manger. So much more than the stable and the wise men. You need to go beyond the shepherds on the hillside. Get past the town of Bethlehem and begin the road up to Golgotha.
There is a King beyond the manger. Are you willing to risk eternity by leaving Him a Baby and packing Him away until next Christmas?
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.
And let him that heareth say, Come.
And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17
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Donna Wray says
VERY thought provoking, Kendra. Thank you, love mom
Kendra says
Thanks, Mom!