'Away in a manger'

In the early 1800’s, Napoleon, a French general and emperor, was marching across Europe.  Without the technology we possess today, the people hunkered down dreadfully awaiting news of the war. In the middle of the time between the great battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo which were fought about ten years apart, was the year 1809.  In that year, while most people focused with fear concerning Napoleon, several babies were born. Among those babies were, Alfred Tennyson was born in Somersby, England; Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Frederic Chopin was born in Warsaw, Poland; and Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Battles were on the minds of people, not babies. From our perspective over 200 years later, those battles seem so unimportant compared to the contributions made by the babies.  

Luke 2:11-12; 11: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." NIV

What a difference a baby born in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago made for humanity. Jesus taught revolutionary new ways to interact with others, such as; “love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).  Over the centuries since, those who took these teachings to heart changed culture socially and educationally. Some of those milestones include those seeking the abolishment of slavery and establishing religious freedom.  Many lives have been transformed by the life-giving power of the love, acceptance and forgiveness available through Jesus Christ. These are a few of the wonders that have changed the world and history because a baby was born in Bethlehem. 

The people of that time and place were concerned about Caesar. They were thinking about the empire of Rome.  In the bombardment of news that shrouds our world in fear and loathing, let’s take time to notice the life, death and resurrection of the baby born in a small town, a manger for a bed.  He is Jesus Christ the Lord.