I remember hearing about a family who visited a live nativity production a few years ago. They had seen Mary and Joseph with the Baby Jesus, the shepherds had come, and the production was over. Some of the kids were going over where the animals were kept so they could pet them.
One little girl’s mom suggested that she might want to go to pet the sheep, but she had a different idea.
“No, Mom. I just want to stay at the manger for a while, okay?”
It’s a simple story; sounding perhaps a bit too contrived. But, I’m wondering why we couldn’t do that.
This morning at our church, the hymns and carols finished, a bearded man mounted the steps to the platform. He almost looked like Santa Claus himself, with his full white beard and twinkling eyes.
He wasn’t. It was simply one of our elders, preparing for prayer time. He started out with a friendly, “Merry Christmas,” to the congregation (which we responded to in kind) and then began to pray.
“Lord, what more can we say?” He had hardly started to pray when a youngster’s voice piped up from somewhere near the front.
“Happy New Year!”
Of course, a ripple of laughter ran through the entire auditorium. We were amused that the child had responded so vocally.
The thing is, others thought the phrase. We’ve been taught that the two go together. Merry Christmas is followed by a Happy New Year. In the calendar, as well as in our greetings to each other.
But, I’m wondering if we could just slow down a bit and stay at the manger awhile.
We’re always in such a hurry to get to what comes next. Through all of our lives, we find it hard to live in the moment because other things, perhaps bigger and better, are coming.
I’m guilty of it, too. I know I’ve written before at Christmastime, assuring readers that we don’t worship a mere baby in a manger, but we worship a Savior who died and rose again for us.
As if the Baby in the manger wasn’t already the Savior of the world.
You think I’m wrong?
What did the angel say to the shepherds?
“For unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2: 11, KJV)
At no time in His time on earth was He any more the Savior than when He was born and laid in that manger.
Or, when He taught the teachers in the Temple. Or, when He turned the water into wine. Or, when he wept at the tomb of His friend, Lazarus. Or, when he washed His disciples’ feet. Or, when he healed the ear of the servant in the garden.
Or indeed, when He died on the cross for the sins of the world.
Our friend, Simeon, whom I referenced the last time I wrote, made it clear. He had heard, had known all his life, of the salvation of the Lord. But, as he held the Child in his arms, he saw it.
“For my eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2: 30, NET)
He saw the baby and he saw in that moment—he held in his own arms—the salvation promised for all of human history.
I’m reminded of the story of Job in the Old Testament when he saw the power of God. Job said:
“My ears have heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6, NIV)
In the manger, for the first time, humans could see the salvation for which provision had been made before time began.
“…the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.” (from Revelation 13:8, KJV)
I have a hunch that when our eyes are on Him, they can’t be focused on ourselves, our plans, or our silly little time schedules.
So, I’d like to stay at the manger a little longer, if you don’t mind.
The shepherds will visit and return to their fields and the magi will bring their gifts and depart again to their countries. Here and now, the new year will come and go—the parties will go past in a dizzying flash—the demands of the world around us will go on and on.
The Savior—our Salvation, our Light—remains.
You’ve got time.
Stay awhile.
Look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!
(from It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, by Edmund H Sears)
© Paul Phillips. He’s Taken Leave. 2023. All Rights Reserved.