The Sounds of the Season: Part 4 – The Cry of the Infant King
And the most anticipated sound of the season: the cry of the infant King. He came in the stillness of the night, somewhere in the manger of a stable. This event that took place in the most ordinary circumstances is of great importance for the whole human family.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, ESV).
Mary and Joseph journeyed for about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem; this is an extremely tiresome journey to the latter in the period that Mary’s pregnancy was far much developed. In addition, there were a lot of visitors in the town at the time due to the census ordered by Caesar Augustus, so much so that the two found no extra room in the local inns to rest expectantly.
Imagine the fatigue and aching Mary felt at that time. Joseph would be full of anxiety, on the other hand, trying to find some good place for rest and delivery for Mary. And to a stable—a place for animals, not even for the birth of a baby, much more for the Savior of the world. But, in this unlikely setting, the King of Kings was born.
The stable scene would have contrasted vastly with what must surely have been envisaged for the birth of a king: no courtiers, no pompous surroundings, only animals, hay, and the cool night air. But in this scene of pathetic squalor, a miracle occurred. The awaited Messiah, prophesied in scriptures like Isaiah 7:14 (“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”) and Micah 5:2 (“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”), came into the world.
“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger.” (Luke 2:6-7, ESV).
But Mary swathed Jesus, though wearied by her journey and in very unfavorable circumstances, and laid Him in the manger. She wrapped Him up tightly with swaddling cloths, lovingly cared for Him, keeping Him warm and safe. And so she laid Him in a manger, an animal feeding trough, and made it His first crib. So this is what represents His humility and accessibility, being born not in a palace but in a place accessible to all.
Piercing through the silence of the night, that cry of baby Jesus gave hope. For Mary and Joseph, the same crying baby would mean relief, happiness, and a miracle. They held in their arms a fulfillment of God’s promise, which had been waited for centuries.
On reflection of this scene, a powerful message on God’s approach towards humanity. Jesus the Son of God decided to come into this world in the lowest way, most identifying with the least and the lost. His birth in a manger is the reminder that in whatever situation we are, in whatever life position we find ourselves, God’s love reaches us. It encourages humility because God sees the greatest in the servants of God.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV).
This verse just brings out how much Jesus, being rich with all the glory in heaven, became poor for our sake. His taking on birth in a manger brings to mind the amount of love and sacrifice He made before His greatest sacrifice on the cross.
As we listen to the carols and hear the sounds of Christmas festivities, let us reflect on the humble beginnings of our Lord. The simplicity of the manger would challenge us to take another look at our life and at the things we really value. Are we living our life in humility? Are we serving people with love and grace, as Jesus did?
The birth of Jesus in a manger calls us to humility and simplicity—to see extraordinary things within ordinary ones and the recognition of His presence in our daily life; He calls us to let Christ come into the stables of our hearts—He may be brought to the hopeless and joyless salvations.
Thank you, Lord, for your gift in Jesus, the Savior who took the lowest way in entering our world. Help us, in celebrating his birth, to treasure his humility and simplicity. May the sounds of this season remind us of your great love and the hope that Jesus brings to all. Amen.
All teachings are prayerfully written by Daniel Glasco, utilizing available resources to faithfully present biblical truth and discipleship encouragement.