The birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most profound moments in human history, and Scripture records that His mother “laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). The manger – derived from the Latin munducare, meaning “to eat” – was an ordinary feeding trough for animals, yet it became the extraordinary place where divinity met humanity. A manger is designed to hold food and water so animals can be nourished and kept safe; when it is empty, they wander in search of sustenance, exposing themselves to danger and loss.
Christ being placed in a manger was therefore no accident, but a divine message to the world. Animals go to the manger for physical nourishment, but humanity is invited to Christ for spiritual nourishment. In that humble trough lay the One who declared Himself the Bread of Life and the Living Water. As Jesus said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever.” The manger, then, becomes a symbol of God’s abundant provision; a place that is never empty, never dry, and never lacking for those who come seeking life.
In today’s festive season, many people will drift in search of satisfaction – pursuing activities, pleasures, and distractions that offer momentary excitement but no lasting fulfillment. Just as an animal that strays from a full manger risks harm, the soul that wanders from Christ risks spiritual emptiness and destruction. Christmas is not an invitation to wander, but a call to return to the true source of life, peace, and salvation.
The message of the manger remains clear: Christ alone nourishes the human soul; wandering from Him brings danger; His grace and mercy never run dry; His humility opens the door of salvation to all; and this season ultimately directs us back to Him.
The question for every heart is simple yet decisive: Have you come to the manger? Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Saviour? If not, the time to decide is now!
By Elder Emmanuel Acquah (Elmina Area Youth Secretary)
