At the Manger

This morning during church I had a bit of an epiphany. I feel like I've put myself in Mary's shoes, in Joseph's, the shepherds, the wise men, & even the inn keeper. But where do I fit into this picture? That Nativity story drastically changed the story of my life, so I have to also have a role in it.

Jesus is the only baby ever to be born on this earth with the sole purpose of dying. When I picture myself there, at the cradle of my Savior, what would I be thinking?

The other day I was holding my little 5-week-old cousin thinking about how perfect she is - her tiny little fingers & toes & her sweet baby smell. Imagine holding a little one like that - holding Jesus - & knowing that one day nails would drive through those perfect little hands. Nails that I put there with my sin.

The son of God, here, born to bleed
a crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering, exalted now, the King of kings
Praise God for the hallowed manger ground
-Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground) by Chris Tomlin

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life
-Celebrate the Day by Relient K

Sometimes I feel like Christmas is all celebration & Easter, while it's about celebrating, there's also the sadness in knowing that we are why God sent Jesus to die in the first place. However, it all ties in together...He was born to die. In my mind, the manger is just as much a symbol of our salvation as the cross is. Both are reminders that He came & gave His very life.

And I think that is where I would find myself. By the manger, holding Jesus in my arms. What a state of awe that would be! I don't know that anything could make me overflow with thankfulness for my Savior more than that.