Keep Him in the Manger

Christmas is over and the decorations are being packed away. Among them may well be a nativity scene with the baby Jesus in a manger, safely stowed away. That is all normal and appropriate. Next year He’ll come out again still in the manger. That is also good unless that is the only place we’ll ever want Him to be. If, in our heart of hearts, we want Him to stay there He’ll be no threat to our lifestyle. We can handle a cute baby but not a bold preacher of righteousness. But He did not stay in the manger.

He was heralded as the coming King of the Jews which provoked King Herod to try to kill Him. They escaped to Egypt.

As an itinerant preacher of righteousness and truth He earned the resentment of many.

When He offered to be Saviour of the people and free them from the penalty of sin He aroused the jealousy of the religious leaders. Eventually they engineered the crucifixion.

When He claimed deity as the Son of God some tried to stone Him to death.

Will we try to keep Him in the manger so that He doesn’t interfere with our plans or disturb our lifestyle? The best 2017 will be one in which Jesus is given the place He deserves.

That is the sunny side,

Henry Wiebe