Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem, his own city, because Caesar issued a decree that all the world should be taxed. Mary had to make a four or five day journey close to the time she was to deliver the Christ child.

After arriving in Bethlehem, Joseph searched and searched to find a proper place for Mary to deliver the baby. But there was no room to be found. Mary felt the hatred of the world weighing heaving on her heart. After it became clear that a stable was the only place they could find, Mary could not hold back her tears any longer. She cried out to God asking him if this was really his plan. It’s easy to relate to Mary – we have all been in a similar place.

God did not hold back his answer. He sent His light through a star so they could find their way. The moment Mary arrived at the stable, she could feel the power in the meekness of the place. The donkey bowed low so her feet could easily reach the ground. The gentle lamb welcomed her with a kiss on the hand. It seemed as though the animals could sense that something great was about to happen. Their tender spirit comforted Mary.

As the night moved on and the baby was born, Mary felt the purity exude from his face. It was this moment that her heart became his manger. This was the sweetest gift to her from the Father and she was changed forever. She could feel all the hopes and prayers from every heart crying out from this world for change.

After some time had passed, the shepherds and then the wise men came and fell down on their knees before the babe. By the look on their face, Mary knew that they could feel the innocence in the love that filled the manger. She imagined that each one had experienced a change in his heart just as she had in hers. They lingered and rejoiced pouring out their gratitude to God.

This experience was not only intended for Mary, the shepherds, and the wise men. The manger is always welcoming you and me to come on bended knee and be changed by God’s transforming love – – just like back then in Bethlehem.

My Heart Became His Manger

The hatred of this world weighted heavy on my heart
When it was clear we’d have to stay in a stable
Could this be God’s plan for us?
I cried as we made our way on through the cold
But the moment I stepped across the threshold
I felt the power in the meekness of this place
And as the night moved on
I felt the purity exude from his face

Right then my heart became his manger
And cradled the innocence of his love
Which was the sweetest gift to me from the Father
Who also brought His light to the star above
Yes He led me to a place where through His grace all were changed forever
Hopes had changed
The world had changed
All on this night when my heart became his manger

The wise men and the shepherds stood all around the babe
Their hearts were touched by all the love they were feeling
Can this be God’s gift to us?
This birth now is teaching us the Father’s way
In His light is the promise of a new day
This Love unveils what our hearts could never find
And there on bended knee
We saw the light of his Father in mankind.

Right then our heart became his manger
And cradled the innocence of his love
Which was the sweetest gift to us from the Father
Who also brought His light to the star above
Yes He led us to a place where through His grace all were changed forever
Hopes had changed
The world had changed
All on this night when our heart became his manger

The manger is always welcoming you and me
To come on bended knee
And be changed by God’s transforming love
Just like that night in Bethlehem

Right then my heart became his manger
I cradled the innocence of his love
Yes He led me to a place where through His grace
I was changed forever
All on that night when my heart became his manger

Copyright 2016