THEOLOGY IN THE TRENCHES
The Warmth of the Manger without the Cold of Night
Theology in the Trenches By Kathleen Kjolhaug Christmas pajamas are always stylin this time of year. The comfort offered, the warmth of cozy, and the feel of fabric encapsulating adds to the quiet physical surround sound.
The nights are cold here in the north as the fireplace brings warmth and the Christmas lights offer a periphery of shelter from the world at large. Northern Lights are aglow in the remote while casting hues never seen before—before our very eyes. Comforters for sale in the store aisles are certain to satisfy all ages and stages. After all who doesn’t like a blankie to wrap up in when the winter nights beg yet another layer of warmth.
Stillness once again prevails as reflective lights from the creche offer respite before the arrival of the Babe in the manger. Deeper we go as we once again remember anew what the Almighty did do as His only begotten Son came down.
We not only pause in stillness to gather round, but the focal point remains—always the Babe—always the Babe. We gather to honor Mary’s fiat— her yes—”be it done unto meaccording to Thy Word” (Luke 38). We gather in pause to proclaim His name, this Holy One, “the only One who was and is and is to come” (Rev. 1:8). How revealing the book of Revelation is. They always say they save the best till last. Perhaps that is just what He did as what was written still stands.
Luke 9:46-48 rings truer than ever this time of year...a foreshadowing of sorts of what was to come. “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by His side and said to them, whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Jesus came as Mary bent low to pick up the Babe so we, like she, could “behold the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
Not sure there’s another way to say it all as we recall the meaning of the Babe who nestled within the warmth of the manger. He came so the cold of night would not remain as such within us, and when the cold winds blow from without, we can recall the warmth of the manger from within. It stabilizes you know—in the stable so long ago. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (Rev. 1:8).
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:812.) Amen.
