Oh, the Glory of it All...

There are a number of brightly wrapped packages sitting under our Christmas tree at the moment. Come Sunday morning...hopefully not too early...there will be an exciting anticlimactic moment when the paper is strewn here and there across the living room floor and the mystery of the strange looking box or odd shaped present is revealed. Doubtless, there will be some disappointment at the lack of "everything" on the long hoped for list. But there will also be shouts of joy and excitement at that which was hoped for begins to take shape.

Thinking of gifts...I can't help but travel back in time to that scene long ago...much replayed at this time of year. Two weary travelers...one overly taxed donkey...a crowded, noisy, smell infested stable...and one, crudely fashioned feeding trough.


As the Hebrew people eagerly awaited their heralded Messiah...and prophets had long time past emptied their hearts of truths yet to be seen...angels peered over the balcony of heaven and wondered at the mystery of their Creator.

The God of all the heavens and earth...the Mover of mountains and Calmer of seas...the One that spoke light into existence and held the darkness at bay with His presence...wrapped human flesh around His heavenly glory and became man.


To those looking on...to those participating in the unfolding drama...to those who would bow their knee before this babe...it was still a shrouded mystery. Their untrained eyes could not see the image of the cross shadowing the manger scene. They could not see the end from the beginning or possibly know that even this rustic inception of a Savior was the climax of the Father's plan.

A plan that was known from the beginning of time. A redemptive means to rescue those living in darkness. A purpose that defied human logic and reasoning. The power of the cross was able to take this lowly entrance and leave behind a glorious deliverance. What man perceived to be weakness...God used as His greatest strength.

His perfect gift to us is not just the cross...but the lowly manger where the Savior was born. From the beginning...He was redeeming the mundane. He took what was obscure, ordinary, even dirty...and gave it purpose and meaning. From the cradle to the cross, His plan was and always is regeneration...never leaving something in the same state it was prior.

His plan is still in effect today. He takes you and me from our lowly estate and transforms us into vessels of honor for the Master's use. What might seem illogical or without purpose is redeemed for His glory. Nothing is outside of this power...nothing too heinous, nothing too painful, nothing too ordinary. The gift of renewal covers everything.

As you gaze upon the tranquil nativity scene...let your eyes rest for a moment on the humble manger. And allow your heart to take in the glory of it all...