Away In A Manger

When Jesus Christ was born, they laid Him in a manger. You could argue that this was purely practical - a manger is roughly the same size as shape as a crib and as they were in a stable when He was born, that was the best they could do. But a manger is a place to put food, and I think that it is significantly symbolic that Jesus was placed in a manger. “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” (John 6:54-56). Every Sunday we partake of the Sacrament in memory of the flesh and blood of our Savior. Jesus Christ came to this Earth to be devoured and eaten and used up by us. “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” (Psalms 69:9). It is only fitting that He Who offered Himself for us, gave His flesh and blood for us to eat and drink, and was utterly consumed and spent every moment of His life in bringing about the salvation and eternal life of all of God's children should begin all of it in a manger or a feeding trough. I hope that we will honor the sacrifice of our Savior and return often to the manger and gain Spiritual strength and nourishment by partaking of the Flesh and Blood of our Savior.