THE FEEDBOX BASSINET
By Steve Bietz
Burke County
Jesus was born in a stable–not the most regal setting for the birth of the Sovereign of the universe. Yet the beauty of the Christmas story is not spoiled by the fact that our Lord was born in the most inglorious of surroundings. Quite the contrary. Somehow, there is profound pathos in the fact that the Creator chose to be born among the humblest of His creatures. The spectacle of His lowly birth strikes a responsive chord in the best of human nature. Behold “The Mighty God” (Isa 9:6) lying there on the hay with the faithful donkey standing by. Then watch as His parents lay Him, not in some fancy cradle or bassinet, but in the donkey’s feedbox with the other stable animals standing around, because there was no room in the inn.
Except for the worship of the shepherds, who followed the directions of the angel, and later the Magi–foreigners from a distant country who came to worship Him and brought gifts–His birth was unheralded, unrecognized, and unhonored by human beings.
Before His incarnation all the treasures of the universe were Jesus’ by right of creation, “for it was by Him that all things were created both in heaven and on earth, both the seen and the unseen, including Thrones, angelic Lords, celestial Powers and Rulers; all things have been created by Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16, Moffatt). Yet for our sakes “He became poor” that we “through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). This is condescension beyond comprehension.
Can we ever appreciate the magnitude of this transaction? Through the incarnation, not only are the riches of His grace placed at our disposal but those who avail themselves of this grace and overcome sin shall inherit all things.
Paul tells us that Jesus, “though existing in the form of God, did not consider His equality with God something to cling to, but emptied Himself as He took on the form of a slave and became like human beings. So recognized in appearance as a human being, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death; yes, death by the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8, New Berkeley). We are encouraged to “let this mind be in” us.
May the Christmas story, with its wonderful condescension, strike a responsive chord in your heart and move you to dedicate yourself more fervently to Him who makes it possible for you to become a partaker “of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
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Steve Bietz is the pastor at Morganton Seventh Day Adventist Church. You can read more good Christian news from Pastor Steve Bietz HERE.
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Blue Ridge Christian News covers Burke County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Yancey County, Madison County, in North Carolina, and Christian news from around the country.
