According to a Gallup Poll, “Away in a Manger” was voted the second most popular carol. Although some of what we sing isn’t mentioned in the Bible (for example, cattle present at Jesus’ birth or Jesus not crying), the carol affirms some deep theological truths.
We’re told that “[Mary] gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them” (Luke 2:7). Why would Luke mention that Jesus was placed in a feeding trough for animals? Why was it significant that Jesus was laid in a manger?
The song “Away in a Manger” reveals His condescension from glory into poverty (Philippians 2:6-8). The King of kings, placed not in a cradle of gold but a manger of hay. Paul commented, “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
“Away in a Manger” declares that Jesus is fully human; He experienced life’s trials and tragedies. “It was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us . . . so that he could . . . offer a sacrifice that would take away [our] sins . . . Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested . . . [He] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:15).
“Away in a Manger” says this world has no room for Jesus. Not much has changed in 2,000 years. Jesus has been rejected and evicted from schools, campuses, communities, and many other places that previously welcomed Him.
May He find room in our heart!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: James 2:1-13
More:
What did John say about the world’s response to Jesus’ birth? (see John 1:10-14).
Next:
What does it mean for you to open your heart to Jesus? Why is our culture continually trying to move Jesus to the margins?
gillian on December 20, 2013 at 3:02 am
At Christmas, it is so easy to think of, “Away in a manger,” as quite sentimental and just for children and cute nativity scenes. Many thanks K T for drawing out so many things that we need to take note of and apply to our lives.
Regarding your points about our cultures moving Jesus to the margins, I feel this is largely Christians own fault. How many of us, when laws that are against Christian values and ethics, actually actively take a stand against and apply pressure to those in positions of authority? I know that I don’t but complain about how anti- Christian the UK is becoming and how much legislation has to be complied with which is in opposition to Biblical principles. Most challenging in recent months is the redefinition of marriage and that marriage is no longer to be defined as between a man and a woman.
I realise how easy it is to complain that Christians and Christianity are increasingly marginalised, but how many of us are guilty of just letting it happen and see it as something we have to accept??? Jesus commands us to be salt and light and show his love to our world and so this should be our commitment as we move into 2014 to actively demonstrate it by how we live and show Jesus to be relevant in our communities today.
tom felten on December 20, 2013 at 9:31 am
Thanks for sharing, gillian. As you wrote, May God help us individually to live out the reality of Jesus and the light and life He has brought to us! He can use us to reach others and to spread the Good News around Christmas and throughout the year.
mike wittmer on December 21, 2013 at 6:27 pm
What happened in the manger reminds us that God uses weakness to conquer his enemies. No matter how bleak our world becomes, God remains Immanuel, the God with us.
winn collier on December 24, 2013 at 10:13 am
Jesus was with the poor, and at times Jesus also was the poor. Good word.