By Gina Caswell Kelly
I was looking at Christmas decorations at a local shop recently. There was a beautiful nativity there. Little baby Jesus was in the manger. There was a little note attached that said “Jesus is not attached (to the manger).” I knew, of course, it was a warning to not pick the baby and manger up thinking they were one piece. But, I thought what a great message in that one little note, written hastily for customers to see.
As you read this, the Christmas season is nearly behind us. Gifts have been bought and, most likely, opened by now. Food has been cooked and consumed. Football games have been watched. Christmas movies have been watched. Family has gathered and gone. All that remains is putting away the Christmas decorations and moving on to next year. But, remember as you clear away the tinsel and glitter, Jesus is not attached to the manger.
So many people in our world think about Jesus only once, maybe twice a year. They think about him on Christmas and they think about him on Easter. Maybe. We love the visualization of that sweet little baby in the manger. The story of the angels and the shepherds and the wise men. We see that precious baby lying in the hay and think how sweet that is. But, so many leave Him there until next year when Christmas rolls around. Don’t do that!
Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! He did not stay in the manger. He grew and He lived. He taught a new way of living and loving. He lived what He taught and He died a horrible death on the cross for you and for me. No, He definitely was not attached to the manger. He lived a life that made a difference for everyone that came in contact with Him. He died a death that made a difference for all those who came after Him.
No, Jesus was not attached to the manger. His coming marked a change in the world and in our relationship with God. His coming gave us hope of life eternal, but more than that. His life gave us hope for the life we live each day. Each minute.
He gave His very life for us. He lived in order to die. His ministry was just over three years, but what a difference He made in those three years. His life brought peace. His life brought healing. His life brought hope.
He was not attached to the manger. Those who stood at the foot of the cross can attest to that. Those of us who have accepted His free gift of salvation can stand boldly and say we belong to Him and He lives in us. He died on that cross to set us free. They buried Him in that tomb, thinking that was the end of that. But no.
Jesus was not attached to the manger, but praise God, He was not attached to the tomb either! He lives so we can live.
His birth, death and resurrection make the difference!
