REMEMBER THOSE IN THE MANGER

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

By the experience of Mary, it is obvious that it is not everyone that will have access to the “inn” of life.  The “inn” here represents comfort while the “manger” represents deplorable conditions.  Those that do not have the opportunity to the “inn” must also survive.  People improvise to ensure survival at all cost.  Such was the experience of Mary who made do with the manger because there was no room for her in the inn.  It is therefore not a good thing for those in the “inn” to see those in the “manger” as fools or not intelligent.  Circumstance beyond the control of many led them to the “manger”.  If they are given the opportunity, they will prefer to be in the “inn”.

The birth of Jesus in the manger reveals the deplorable situation to which so many people are subjected.  We see around us most people living in situations that can best be described as manger.  They give birth there, live and earn a living there.  Some are privileged to survive while some are not so lucky.

I do not dispute the fact that God may have decided that Jesus comes through such a humble manner.  My concern is for those whose situation seems permanent in the manger, that is, those that lives below the minimum standard of living.  Though Jesus came through the manger and yet fulfilled his destiny, how many of those having manger experience around us are fulfilling their God’s given destiny?

I want to encourage everyone reading this to refocus attention on those that Jesus used his coming to identify and sympathize with, that is, those in the manger.  Those that give birth under deplorable conditions, for lack of fund to seek proper health care.  Those not sure of where their next meal will come from.  Those displaced by war and/or disasters and others under all forms of deplorable conditions.

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.  The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive: and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.  The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.  Psalm 41:1-3.