A View from Within the Manger

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 ESV

As I ponder the Nativity, I am struck by the smallness of the Babe in the tiny manger. The word that comes to mind: vulnerable.

The God of the universe, the Creator of everything seen and unseen, emptied Himself of all power, majesty, and glory to enter a womb, then a stable, to become the firstborn of a poor young family. He opened Himself to the possibility of being physically and emotionally wounded, to being attacked by enemies both physical and spiritual.

What I hear Him say, from His perspective, lying in a feed trough:

My Father is completely trustworthy. See? Watch Me.

I willingly lay down my glory for you, 

for my Father's glory,

and for your salvation.

I'm done telling you to trust Him, 

I've come to show you He is worth trusting.

Even when it seems like you have nothing:

no place to stay, no friends, little to no resources.

He will provide. See? Watch Me.

Watch Me grow and obey. Watch Me trust Him

even to the point of death on a cross.

It's worth it. He's trustworthy. 

I came so you could see, watch Me, and follow.

I find great comfort and peace in following a God who doesn't just tell us what to do and how to live. He doesn't just say Trust Me. But He leaves all behind and does it. Proves Himself trustworthy, reveals what's real, what's worthwhile, forges the path for us to follow making Himself vulnerable.

Perhaps I can make myself vulnerable, too, through giving, loving, being obedient, dying daily to self, all for His glory...

What about you?

Listen to the Babe in the manger as He says: See? Watch Me...

Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:3-11 ESV

Carol Weaver