The Perfect Bed

Luke 2:6-7

“6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Have you ever traveled a long distance and arrived at your hotel tired and worn out only to find out that they had not held your reservation or that there was some mix-up and you received a smoking room with no view or balcony? Now, imagine that you had walked or ridden a camel for 90 miles, 20 miles a day for four and a half days and you were pregnant, and this happened.

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, they were probably very tired and in need of a room.  Yet, because of the influx of crowds of people who were in Bethlehem for the census, there were no rooms to be had. So they were relegated to staying either in a stable or a room where animals were kept. 

When Mary gave birth, she laid the savior of the world in a manger.  

The manger bed, normally the symbol of Mary and Joseph’s poverty, actually symbolizes God’s plan for the redemption of all of humanity.  Christ was not born in a palace.  He was not laid in a bed of gold.  He did not have servants attending His every need.  

Christ was born into the world so that all could be saved.  The manger represents the plan of salvation for all humankind.

And there was never a more perfect bed for such a savior.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)