Hark the Harold Angels Sing

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!Ó

It was a simple yet profound message delivered that night by the angel of the Lord to the shepherds. And from the scriptures we read that the angel said unto themÒFear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.Ó

It is interesting to note to whom the angelic messenger delivered their message. It was not to the king and his court; it was not in the synagog or the town square but to those who were "keeping watch over their flocks by night.Ó But these were not ordinary shepherds and this was no ordinary flock. First; the shepherds were educated and purified in their calling to raise up perfect lambs. It was their sacred responsibility to care for and ensure that none were hurt, damaged, or blemished. For these were the lambs destined to be sacrificed upon the holy altars of the Temple. Sacrificed in the similitude of the Lamb of God who was to be born that holy night.

Upon birth, each lamb was thoroughly inspected and only if found to be perfect was it then wrapped in swaddling clothes as certification of itÕs divine mission.

Shortly after birth the lambs were allow to freely graze in a pasture prepared just for them by the side the road on the way to Jerusalem, outside the city of Betlehem and near the tower.

A tower that was erected anciently as a military tower; it was placed strategically at the edge of Bethlehem on a place were it could to protect the city; give them advance warning of enemy advancement - But now the tower was being used to protect something else - a special flock of sheep. The tower was affectionately know by all in the city as the Òwatch-tower of the flockÓ. With its position high in the air; to provided a look out point for the shepherd's of the watch - those hired to protect the flock; those assigned to watch out for the enemies that may try to harm the flock.

Extra care and protection was give to this special flock; so that when delivered to the altars of God they would be without blemish or injury of any kind in order to fulfill their sacred purpose.

And so it was to these; those humble servants who cared for the sacrificial lambs that the angel announced the birth of The Lamb of God.

ÒAnd it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.Ó

How fitting it is that the sign given to the shepherds was that the son of God would be found lying in a manager.

A manger; really?

Yes - The king of Kings would be found lying in a humble manger. What a powerful and symbolic message was used to introduce the Savior to the world, the very one would declare that he was the bread of life; and would be found lying in a manger, a symbol of the source of life.

Do you think the manger had any special significance to the shepherds?

I suppose itÕs meaning was perfectly clear. The Lamb of God was to be found wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. Remember these shepherds held the responsibility to inspect each lamb at birth for blemish. Each lamb that was declared perfect was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in the manger.

ManagerÕs to these shepherds were indeed sacred places, a place with deep symbolic meaning. The shepherds knewÕ just as every young farm boy learns early on that feeding at the manger is something that must be done consistently, each and every day. It is the essence of life.

That hay, grain and corn - feed to the lambs during bitter cold days of winter when food is scarce; must be stored up in advance. That a preparation must be made in the spring when planting, the summer when watered and cultivated, and then in the fall it must be harvested, brought in and stored for the winter when there is little or nothing on which to graze.

The manger provided a place for the shepherd and the sheep to gather each day, giving the master the chance to be close; to carefully look over each lamb in the flock. It is during feeding time that the sheep gather at the manger, and as the feed is placed in the manger they will work their way to the front. It is here that the shepherd can review the wellness of each lamb individually; looking for early signs of fatigue or illness. Always watching for those lambs who do not make it to the manger, for the shepherd knows that these are in definite need of immediate attention.

And finally the manger provided a place to prepare for the upcoming storm. When a storm is pending the sheep will gather closer together and have a tendency to eat more because they are aware a storm is brewing. Good shepherds realize by watching their flocks when impending storms are coming and can prepare long before the clouds begin to gather.

so what can we learn from the symbolism of the manger?

We are reminded that we too must be consistent in our spiritual nourishment. That we need to go to the manger each day.

We learn that we have a shepherd in whom we can trust for our protection.

We gain confidence that he has provided that which we cannot provide for ourselves.

Knowing that there was a great plan prepared to provide for us long before our time of need by a loving Father in Heaven.

We can come to understand that his plan included the sacrifice of his only Begotten son, and contains everything that we need to inherit eternal life.

That just as the shepherdÕs of old watched the flock at the manger we too are being watched over for signs of weariness, fatigue and sickness.

That we for the sake of our asking can be taken to the place of shelter and provided the individual attention that we need.

That it is at the manger that we learn to prepare for the storms of life long before the skies darken.

And from the symbolism of the manager we are reminded that it is up to us; to exercise our own agency to come to the manger; to seek that babe who lay there.

I pray that we like the shepherds of old will seek with far greater intent; Jesus The Christ, the son Of God; the Lamb of God; to be like him and give to him our most precious gifts - that of willing minds, broken hearts and contrite spirits.

That in so doing we may each enjoy our own - Silent Night, Holy Night for all is calm and all is bright!

Silent Night