In a day when many want to do away with the manger, we need to go back to the Bible and recount what happened away in a manger. Remember a manger is a feeding trough for animals. The Bible does not specify whether this manger was made of stone or wood. We find the phrase "in a manger" three times in the nativity narrative recorded in Luke 2:1-20. Let us look carefully at each instance in this Christmas passage.

First, there is the delivery of the divine Christ child. Luke 2:6-7 reads, "So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Mary and Joseph were not wealthy as we note they offered two doves for an offering to dedicate Jesus because they could not afford a lamb (Luke 2:24). In his song titled, "Mary Did You Know," Mark Lowrey writes, "This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you." While the Lord highly favored Mary, she still needed a Savior, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Second, there is the declaration regarding the divine Christ child. Luke 2:10-12 reads, "Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'" The angel appeared to Mary, assured her, and announced that the birth of her baby would be a blessing for everyone. Have you received the blessing of eternal life through Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

Third, there is the decision concerning the divine Christ child. Luke 2:15-16 reads, "So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger." The shepherds quickly decided to go and then they decided to tell others. Luke 2:17-20 reads, "Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." We too are to be humble worshippers and witnesses.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.