The Meaning of the Manger

All these years I didn’t know
That a manger is where animals go
When they’re hungry, that it holds their food
And that it’s a wooden box, rough and crude

I thought a manger was like a barn
A place that shelters animals from harm
That’s where I thought Jesus lay
When I’d hear about his head on the hay

But a manger is where animals feed
It’s what provides their utmost need--
The food that keeps them nourished and sustained
Keeps them from hunger, and therefore pain

So Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace
Slept in a box that held slop and grease
The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords
First bed was rough hewn boards

Just think about what that means
In this day of designer jeans
Smart phones, tablets and satellites--
Think about where our Savior slept that night

The Creator of the universe slept in a place
That to most of us would be a disgrace
And He didn’t come with fanfare and glitter
He didn’t announce on Facebook or Twitter

Rather angels blew heavenly horns
Announcing the Savior of the world is born
So when we wake up on Christmas Day
Let’s think of our God asleep on the hay

In a wooden box, rough and crude
And thank Him for becoming our food
For keeping us nourished and sustained
For keeping us from hunger and pain

For sacrificing Himself to set us free,
And for using a manger to teach humility.