I noticed this time in reading Luke 2 today, repetition.
Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7
AND
This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12
What is a manger? “a manger,” Luk 2:7, 12, 16, also denotes “a stall,” 13:15. So in the Sept., the word denoted not only a “manger” but, by metonymy, the stall or crib (Pro 14:4) containing the “manger.”
Vine’s Dictionary
I know, in my mind, I try to make this pretty, but if you have ever been around a horse stall, I know you will agree. It’s smelly. It’s dirty. And it’s lowly. And yet, here is where the King of kings and Lord of lords entered the world. Imagine, all the people of bustling in their houses, not realizing the world had just changed. We had just been blessed immeasurably. We would never be the same.
Joy.
The directions from the angel were specific(ish) and described exactly how Mary cared for her firstborn son. Her King. Our King.
Side note. Questions I have. There had to be more than one manger. One stall. How in the world did these shepherds find him? And before you say, the star. that wasn’t directions for the shepherds, that was for the wise men. We know they didn’t come to this precious family right away. Did the star just hang out every night for two years or whatever the space of time?
Where did this happen? In A.D. 150, Justin Martyr said that the place Jesus was born was a cave in Bethlehem. Later (330) under Constantine the Great a church was built over the cave, which many believe is still the most probable place where Jesus was born.
David Guzik study guide
Ponder this. People didn’t give birth in stalls, mangers, caves. This would have been an unusual sight. there is so much here that i would love to have a more profound understanding. We are given this.
What holds me in the space is Jesus came here willingly. Lovingly. He did it for me. He did it for you. We have joy because of this entrance into the world as a helpless baby.
Why? i know my Savior lives. I know he came for me. For all his beloveds. He knew suffering on a level I will never know. He knows. He understands.
I’ll finish today with this.
Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than doing evil. 1Peter 3:13-17
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