The virgin conception of Jesus was miraculous. But the lack of details given to the actual birth could leave the appearance of ordinary. The eternal Son of God being born as human happened quietly and they laid him in a manger.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 7 (ESV)
I can’t help but consider the smell surrounding the manger. I worked on a horse farm during my middle & high school years. You don’t go into the barn without picking up a very distinct smell. Perhaps the smell of the manger lingered on the very cloths that swaddled Jesus. The stench of the stable is a reminder of the stinky sinner. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Sin is the reason we need a Savior.
The Savior came in the form of an infant and was laid in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. Friend, is there room for Christ in your life? Jesus came that you may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (ESV)
Thank You Jesus, I’m no longer a stinky sinner! How about you? Have you turned from your stinky sin to the Savior? Be sure to ask someone today if you want to know more about how to make that commitment.
Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky
EDITED – Originally written for Immanuel Baptist Church 2016
Photo by Dan Kiefer on Unsplash