The Advent of Glory by R.C. Sproul: 5 Days Exploring the First ChristmasSample

Day 5: Room

We’ve all seen depictions of the Nativity scene.

We are told that he was laid in a manger, which is a feeding trough used to feed cattle. That doesn’t mean that Joseph and Mary and the baby stayed in a barn. In all probability, Jesus was born in a cave right outside a home or outside an inn where sometimes animals were kept for shelter from the elements.

In this cave, there probably would have been a little shelf hollowed out in the rock that could be used to put in foodstuffs to feed the livestock. That hollowed-out shelf was the manger.

So this is what we can picture: Joseph and Mary can’t get into an inn. There’s no hotel room available for them, no private residence in which to dwell, and so they seek shelter in a small cave. Perhaps there was straw on the floor and maybe the smell of animals in the air. The promised King of Israel is born not only in a small and insignificant town but in one of the most humble places in that town.

These circumstances of Jesus’ birth call attention to something that marks the whole character of his life and ministry. When theologians examine the life of Christ, they notice that there is a basic progression in his lifetime: he moves from humiliation to exaltation.

Humiliation came first; it went from the humble circumstances of his birth, through his earthly ministry, to the ignominy of his trial and of his rejection by his people, and, of course, the depths of humiliation which took place on the cross. Then glory burst through with his resurrection and then his ascension to heaven when he went to sit at the right hand of his Father.

What is often overlooked is that this combination of humiliation and exaltation was evident right from the beginning. Even though Christ entered this world in circumstances of oppression and poverty—even though he arrived virtually incognito and was born in a shelter for animals and laid in a manger—yet, a very short distance away, there was an explosion of glory.

It came to the shepherds on the hillside: “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear” (Luke 2:9).

The dazzling, blinding brightness of God’s glory broke out and terrified these lowly shepherds. They had no idea of what was going on. They saw a blinding light that is associated with the throne of God himself, and then they heard the voice of the angel announcing the birth of their Savior: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (v 11).

Here was the King, the promised Messiah, the Son of David, come at last.

I wonder what the shepherds thought when they heard the angel’s next words: “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (v 12).

Lying in a manger? The Son of David had come. Yet even in the city of David, there was no room for him. How will you praise this King of glory and humiliation today?

A Prayer for Today

By Tim Challies

Father, we are so deeply challenged by the humility of Jesus. Though he is the God who created the world, he was willing to be born into the world. Though he is infinite and eternal, he was willing to enter into a specific time and place. Though he is immortal, he was willing to lay down his life. And all of this for the good of his people and your glory. It is only fitting, then, that you would highly exalt him and give him the name that is above every name. So even now, as we bow before him and confess his name, we ask that we would be willing and eager to imitate him in his humility. We pray that we would esteem others more highly than ourselves and count it all joy as we follow in the humble footsteps of our humble Savior. Amen.

To reflect further on the first Christmas, enjoy 24 devotions for Advent from R.C. Sproul inThe Advent of Glory.