The manger that changed the world
By Staff
Craig Ziemba / guest columnist
Dec. 21, 2003
I love watching my son's face when we read the Christmas story from his Bible storybook at bedtime. He likes the pictures of Mary riding the donkey into Bethlehem and the angels appearing to the shepherds out in the fields, but he's really fascinated with the picture of baby Jesus lying in the manger with smiling cows and sheep and horses looking on.
I sense that deep down he wishes he could sleep in a feed trough in the barn surrounded by livestock.
Ever since Dr. Purdy had to deliver my son via emergency C-section at Riley Hospital to save my wife's life, the idea of giving birth in a stable is much less appealing to me now. When my son was born, he was cared for by medical professionals, wrapped in a warm receiving blanket, and placed on an incubator in a private room filled with flowers from family and friends.
The Son of God, by comparison, was wrapped in rags, laid to rest on a bed of hay and attended by a carpenter and some shepherds.
First Christmas
Looking back to that first Christmas, I couldn't help but think about the significance of Jesus' lowly birth. Christ could have appeared as a celestial warrior on a chariot of fire and have forced the entire world to acknowledge his deity. He could have overthrown the Roman Empire, liberated Palestine and become the greatest conqueror the world had ever known.
So why would God's only begotten Son come to earth in such humble circumstances? Why would he choose to walk among us as a man, call uneducated fishermen to be his disciples, and die on a cross hung between two criminals?
With the birth of his Son, God had something far bigger than an earthly kingdom in mind. God was already our Creator, Lord and King. By coming to earth as a common man, Jesus also became Emmanuel, meaning "God with us."
The implications are enormous. By being born in a stable, Jesus showed that God doesn't value wealth, power or position, and with that single act did more to advance the cause of the equality of man and the worth of the individual than any congress or constitution ever could.
Jesus demonstrated that he is more than just some transcendental lawgiver who set creation in motion and then metes judgment on the unfaithful. By living among us, Jesus became our example, our teacher, and our friend. He understands our human emotions. Having been tempted by the Devil himself, he knows the pressures we face and the frailties of our fallen state.
Firsthand love
Jesus experienced firsthand the love of his mother, the loss of his boyhood friend Lazarus, the betrayal of his own followers, the hatred of the mob and the repentance of the dying thief. Jesus sees us for who we are, and loves us in spite of ourselves.
Even while enduring the worst of human brutality as he hung on the cross, the Lord said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jesus did more than just say, "Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends." He proved it.
My 2-year-old doesn't understand all of this just yet. He's just hoping we'll have candles on a cake for Jesus' birthday.
But one day, I pray that the little Child born in Bethlehem who changed the course of history will change my son's heart as well.
Craig Ziemba is a pilot who lives in Meridian. His book, Boondoggle, is available at Meridian area Bible Bookstores.
