Jesus wasn’t born in Rome, the center of the universe at that time, and not in Athens, the center of the intellectual world, but in Bethlehem. The town’s name means “house of bread.” He was born in a stable, a cold place where animals were kept at night. This little baby was laid in a manger – the container used by the animals for their food. Perhaps Bethlehem, the house of bread, and a manger, a container that housed the animals’ food, tells us who Jesus is for each of us. Is He our food, our source of life?

Long before silver bells jingled, Christmas lights twinkled, and sleighs pulled by horses went dashing through the snow, God reached down from heaven with the best gift of all – love wrapped in swaddling clothes, hope nestled in a manger. The coming of Christ by way of a Bethlehem manger may seem strange and stunning, but when we take Him out of the manager and into our hearts, then the stunning meaning unfolds and the strangeness vanishes.

 On Christmas Day, whether through worship, family gatherings, or acts of kindness, let each of us celebrate the birth of Christ together reflecting on His incredible love and sacrifice. Let us embody the hope, joy, and peace Jesus’ arrival brings.