The Mishap

Luke 2:7 – And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NIV)

Last Advent, there was a mishap in our tiny congregation. As the church was being decorated for Advent, the baby Jesus was inadvertently dropped and broken.

Although the figurine was mended and thus able to take its place within the manger scene, the memory of the one who dropped baby Jesus was not.

This year, as Advent was once again being discussed, she asked if she would be allowed to go near the nativity scene or if she would be banned. Although her remark was made in jest, it was obvious how badly she still felt about the situation.

As I listened to this word exchange among the congregation, I couldn't help but voice what a wonderful analogy the broken baby Jesus depicted.

1 Corinthians 11:23b-24 – The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (NKJV)

Although Christ was born as a babe in a manger, He had come to earth to be broken. During the sacrament of communion, which many congregations celebrate today, we remember that Christ's body was broken for our transgressions and sorrows, that we might be mended by the power of His blood, shed for us, and that we might once again be made whole, holy in the sight of God our heavenly Father. It was not a mishap that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. Rather, it was God's most wondrous plan that through His stripes, we might be healed. No wonder that the angels of the heavenly realm broke into chorus singing:

Luke 2:14 – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests. (NIV)

Prayer: Loving Father and wondrous God, how we praise and thank You for the love shown to mankind through the humility and obedience of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. As we gaze upon the babe in the manger of our nativity scenes this Christmas, may we also remember the brokenness of the Saviour who brought healing to mankind. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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