AUTHOR

Jennifer Powers


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A Humble Start

Luke 2:6-7 NIV

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Two years ago, my wife, Suzanne, and I became grandparents for the first time. What a joyful experience that has become! Two of our daughters – Selby (Blake) and Claire (Tudor) - delivered their babies five days apart in two different cities. Each delivery was unique. Both deliveries had complications that required physician specialists and prolonged hospital stays. Needless to say, emotions were high. Their modern hospital rooms were equipped with beeping monitors, twisted IV lines, and adjustable hospital beds. Nurses and doctors attended to them with great precision. Following their deliveries, the babies were quickly wrapped in special warming blankets, evaluated, and closely monitored. It was all so complicated. Fortunately, all ended well as both daughters (and grandchildren – Phoebe and Oliver) were sent home healthy. Ultimately, the arrival of our grandchildren was celebrated with the usual fanfare of friends, flowers, balloons, and joyful emotions.

In our passage today we find a very different setting for a birth experience.

“… and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7).

This text describes the birth of our Savior —the Messiah and King. There is no first century fanfare, comforts, or baby monitoring. There is no private room. In fact, we observe something very different. A child who enters the world modestly and without special privilege—a simple and humble arrival. He is placed, not in a special warming bed, but in an animal feed trough or manger wrapped in scraps of old clothing. There are no surveillance monitors that beep, but rather noisy barn animals, dusty hay, and filth. There are no attendants, kingly baby clothes, or a red carpet. But why not? This is the Messiah, isn’t He?

Jesus was radically different. The universe was His. He created it all, but He chose to enter this world modestly. His life exemplified simplicity. His sacrificial death on a cross epitomized humility. Jesus lived out humility and simplicity even as He died for each of us.

Let us remember this characteristic of Jesus as we celebrate Advent. He is the Savior of the world, yet He appeared with great humility and makes Himself available to us. Share this opportunity to know Him and the joy of His modest birth with others. Contact those who are broken, lonely, or struggling with the difficulties of life. Reflect on His greatness even as He lived simply and with humility. Remind others of Jesus’ humble start but emphasize His miraculous earthly ending which gives us all hope.