The Journey to the Manger
The story of Christmas does not begin with a celebration. It begins with a journey—one marked by weariness, dusty roads, and the heavy weight of obedience. To understand the peace we seek today, we must first look back to that evening in Judea, as recorded in Luke 2:1-7 (KJV)
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Imagine, for a moment, the atmosphere of that night. Mary and Joseph were not traveling for pleasure; they were subjects of an empire, forced by a secular decree to travel miles while Mary was “great with child.” They arrived in Bethlehem not to a welcoming committee, but to a city so crowded and indifferent, only to be told there was no room in a proper dwelling.
For those of you who feel “crowded out” this year—by bills, by grief, or by the sheer noise of a busy world—take heart. The Savior did not arrive in a palace. He arrived on the very fringe of society. He knows what it is like to be tired, to be overlooked, and to find the doors of the world closed. If you feel like there is “no room” for your heart’s burdens today, remember that the King of Kings began His earthly life in that very same place.
The Promise Kept: From Prophecy to Presence
This was not a random birth or a historical accident. Hundreds of years before the first cry echoed in that stable, the Prophet Isaiah stood in a time of deep national darkness and spoke of a light that was coming.
In Isaiah 7:14, we see the blueprint of this miracle: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Immanuel: God with us.
This is the central miracle of our faith. The Virgin Birth was the bridge between the Divine and the human. It was necessary because humanity, fractured by sin and separated from a holy God, could not climb its way to heaven. Instead, Heaven came down to us.
Isaiah further describes the character of this child in Isaiah 9:6,
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
To the searching soul, these aren’t just titles; they are promises.
- If you are confused, He is your Counselor.
- If you feel weak, He is the Mighty God.
- If you feel orphaned or abandoned, He is the Everlasting Father.
- And if your heart is a battlefield of anxiety, He is the Prince of Peace.
The prophets didn’t just tell us that He would come; they told us why. He came to reconcile. He came to take the broken threads of our lives and weave them back into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. This is the “Good Tidings of Great Joy.” Through faith in Jesus Christ, the debt of our sins is paid, the veil is torn, and we are redeemed. We are no longer strangers; we are children of the Most High.
A Word for the Searching and the Lonely
Christmas is often painted in colors of bright gold and vibrant red, but for many, the season feels more like a shade of blue.
Perhaps you are sitting in a room that feels too quiet because a chair is empty this year. Perhaps you are surrounded by people but feel invisible. To you, I want to say: The Prince of Peace is most present in the silence.
The world defines “peace” as the absence of trouble—a quiet house, a full bank account, or a problem-free life. But the peace of Christ is different. It is the presence of God in the midst of trouble. It is the “peace that passeth all understanding.”
If you are searching for that peace, know that it is not found in a “feeling” or a holiday tradition. It is found in a Person. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
You do not have to “fix” yourself to come to Him. You do not have to have a perfect family or a joyful spirit. You simply have to open the door. Just as there was no room in the inn, we must ask ourselves: Is there room in my heart? If you invite Him in, He promises to dwell there, providing a companionship that the world can neither give nor take away.
Light in a Darkened World
As we look at the world around us today, it is easy to become discouraged. We see the headlines of wars and rumors of wars. We see the rise of evil, the bitterness of division, and the darkness that seems to shroud so many corners of our globe. It can feel as though the “peace on earth” the angels sang about is a distant, forgotten dream.
But look again at the Christmas story.
Jesus was born into a world of Roman occupation, of Herod’s cruelty, and of heavy taxation. The “first Christmas” was not a sanitized, peaceful scene. It was a light shining in a very dark place.
The Gospel of John 1:5 reminds us: “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” This is our great confidence. The darkness of this world—the wars, the sickness, the evil—cannot extinguish the light of Christ. In fact, the darker the night, the brighter the star of Bethlehem shines. We do not celebrate Christmas because the world is perfect; we celebrate it because God sent a Savior to a world that is not perfect.
Our hope is not in political leaders, in treaties, or in the fluctuating state of global affairs. Our hope is in the King whose “government shall be upon His shoulder.” He is the beginning and the end. He has already overcome the world.
Our Shared Joy and Celebration
So, how do we respond to this great truth?
To the Believer: Let this season be a time of re-dedication. Let us move past the commercialism and the “busyness” to sit at the feet of our Lord. Share the hope that is within you. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are struggling. Remember that you are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and that your citizenship is in a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
To the Seeker: Let this be the year you stop running. The peace you are looking for in relationships, in success, or in “stuff” is actually a longing for your Creator. He is not far off; He is as close as a prayer.
To the Lonely: You are seen. The God who numbered the stars knows the number of hairs on your head. He spent His first night on earth in a cold stable so that you would never have to spend an eternity alone. Most important of all, you are loved. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn, but that through Him, the world might be saved. One small step of faith will change your life forever – are you ready to find eternal peace? We are here for you. If you are lonely or seeking answers, maybe seeking someone to pray for you, simply click this link and let us know what is on your heart. Prayer Requests, Questions, Comments
If you are already a believer, we encourage you to share the light of Jesus anywhere and everywhere – and if you want our free ministry cards to help in your efforts, simply request your set today at this link. COMMUNITY MISSIONS TEAM
Conclusion: The Song That Never Ends
As we gather around tables, light candles, and exchange gifts, let us remember the greatest Gift.
The baby in the manger grew to be the Man on the cross, who became the resurrected King at the right hand of the Father. He is our Redeemer. He is our Hope. He is our Lord.
The world may be loud, and the shadows may seem long, but the message of the manger remains unchanged: Fear not.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all this Christmas season. Let us celebrate with hearts full of praise, for the Light has come, and the darkness will never win.
Jesus is Lord. Merry Christmas.
John Stephen Frey – Director and Senior Editor
Life Beyond Horizons 