Lessons from the Manger

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Discovering the Greatest Gift in an Unexpected Place

Christmas is just eight days away, so today we’re going to talk about “Lessons from the Manger.” Christmas is a wonderful season of giving gifts to celebrate the greatest gift. It’s a time for families to celebrate together as they remember the gift of Jesus.

Imagine with me, a Christmas morning scene. The children are gathered around the tree, just waiting to open the presents. After the Christmas story is read, it’s time to open the presents.

The excited children begin to open their brightly wrapped packages. In the midst of paper and ribbons scattering about, one child finds a small, plainly wrapped box that had been overlooked by the others. However, when they opened that humble package, something unexpectedly precious was revealed.

It was a handmade keepsake from a loving grandparent. That simple gift became the most cherished of all. It’s value far surpassing the other flashier presents.

That story mirrors what happened in the small town of Bethlehem. A setting far from the grandeur of king’s palaces or wealthy mansions. But the gift that came from heaven in that manger, was the greatest gift of all.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

That tiny baby, born in the manger, was Mighty God, Prince of Peace and King of Kings. The birth of Jesus was a humble, quiet event. Yet, it held within it, the power to transform the course of history and the lives of countless people down through history.

This morning as we look into this extraordinary event, we’ll learn profound truths about God’s love, grace and the true meaning of Christmas. These truths are not just historical facts, but living realities meant to shape our faith. As we reflect on the manger, we discover lessons that still speak powerfully into our lives today.

Understand Jesus as Our Savior

Luke 2:6-7 (ESV) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Jesus was born to the virgin Mary, not at home, not in an inn, but in a lowly stable. Mary wrapped the new born baby in cloths and laid him in an animal feeding trough, a manger. This was not standard practice in those days, it was a very humble birth of poor parents.

The manner in which Jesus entered our world, tells us that He came for everyone. He came for the poor and the rich, the strong and the weak, for all of us. No matter a person’s situation or status in life, no matter what they have or haven’t done, Jesus came for you.

He came into the world as a baby, just as you did, except that He was born of a virgin. An angel choir announced to the shepherds who this baby was. This announcement revealed heaven’s perspective on the identity and mission of this child.

Luke 2:11 (ESV) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Let’s unpack this message from heaven. The child that was born, Jesus, for you, the shepherds, who represent all of us. Jesus did not come for just a privileged few, He came for everyone who has or will ever live on planet earth.

He was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, prophesied as being the birthplace of the long-awaited Messiah. The first title given Jesus is Savior, someone who will save us. What will He save us from?

He will save us from our sins and their consequences by forgiving us. The child, Jesus, also is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Jesus was the promised Messiah who would come to set His people free and establish the kingdom of God.

Finally, that little baby in the manger was the Lord, Almighty God, creator and ruler of the universe. He came to be your Savior, to be everyone’s Savior who would believe in Him. This truth defines the heart of the Christmas message.

Responding Personally to the Gift of Salvation

Even though Jesus came to be everyone’s Savior, only those who believe in Him are saved. You see, Jesus as Savior is a gift from heaven for every sinner on the earth, which is all of us. However, you have to open the gift of Jesus in order to be saved from your sin, to be forgiven.

You open the gift of Jesus bey believing in Him and entrusting your life to Him as your Lord. That means that you will obey His Word and follow His example in your life. To be saved from your sin is to be saved from the eternal consequences of sin.

Those who are saved have eternal life and will spend eternity with Jesus in a new heavens and new earth. Those who do not open the gift of Jesus as Savior, will spend eternity with Jesus in a place of torment called hell. May each one today accept the gift of Jesus when we give an opportunity later in the service.

Do not put that decision off, for if you pass on before accepting Jesus as Savior, there are no second chances. This decision carries eternal significance and deserves serious reflection. Understand Jesus as Our Savior.

Rejoice in the Good News of Salvation

Let’s look more closely at the angel’s announcement to the shepherds.

Luke 2:10-11 (ESV) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The angel first told the shepherds to not be afraid, the standard angel greeting “Fear not.” The message of the angel concerning Jesus’ birth was first of all good news. Bad news usually causes fear and worry.

The birth of the Savior was good news, in fact, it is the best news that has ever been announced on planet earth. It is such good news, that everything else pales in comparison. The birth of Jesus is good news because it gives a way for us to have our sins forgiven.

When our sins are forgiven, we are given new life on this earth and a new eternal destination. When you hear the best good news ever, you’ll be filled with great joy. You’ll want to tell everyone else about it.

The angel said that this good news was for all the people. For everyone, not just the Jews, not just of the people of Jesus’ day, but for everyone. When we really comprehend the good news of salvation, we will rejoice.

Living Daily with Lasting Joy

This rejoicing is not just for the time when you are saved. God desires for you to have a life that is filled with joy. You might say, well Pastor Dan, everything isn’t so great in my life, there is some bad news.

Any bad news in your life is just for a moment in this life. The good news of salvation that Jesus brought should cause us to rejoice no matter what we’re going through. There is no bad news in heaven.

And that’s where you’re going if you’ve accepted the good news of salvation for your life. All bad news is temporary, momentary, light, compared to the good news that salvation brings into our lives. The impact of salvation begins in this life and finds it’s full expression in the next.

No matter what you’re going through this morning, take some time to think about and rejoice in the good news of salvation. It will do you good. And when you’re rejoicing, what should you do with that good news?

Share it with someone else. It can change their lives, both here and now and for eternity. Rejoice in the good news of salvation.

Seek and Worship the Savior

Matthew 2:1-2 (ESV) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Who were these wise men? Most believe that these were Persian priests who studied the heavens to predict the future. They were not Jews and came a long distance to worship the Savior.

They followed an unusual star that guided them to the very house where Jesus was. No star as we know it could do that, so this was some type of supernatural star that guided them. The wise men went to great expense and time to seek a child who had been born as king of the Jews.

Not only did they come to see the child, they came to worship him.

Matthew 2:11 (ESV) And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men’s quest came to an end when they found Jesus. They worshipped Him, bowing down before the child, at least a year old. The wise men gave costly gifts to Jesus as part of their worship.

Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts are often interpreted symbolically, with gold representing Jesus' kingship, frankincense his priestly role, and myrrh prefiguring his death. I imagine that we will see those wise men in heaven one day.

They sought after the Savior, bowed before Him as their Lord and worshipped Him with their gifts. These wise men show us the importance of seeking and worshiping the Savior. Their example still calls us to active faith.

Growing in a Lifelong Relationship with Jesus

What lessons can we learn from the wise men seeking and worshiping the Savior? God’s desire is for every person to seek after Jesus and find Him. How do you seek after Jesus today, as He is not to be found in physical form on earth?

You seek after Jesus through reading the Bible, through prayer and through talking to believers who have found Him. You find Jesus when you believe in Him and submit your life to Him as our Lord. To find Jesus is to enter into a relationship with Him, where you listen to Him and talk to Him.

When you find Jesus, you worship Him, not just on Sundays, but everyday. You worship Jesus by giving Him a portion of the wealth He has given to you. You worship by giving your tithes and offerings to Jesus’ church.

But after you’ve found Jesus, does the seeking and worship stop? Absolutely not. You have entered into a relationship with an infinite person, God Himself.

Just as you can grow in a human relationship with another person, so you can grow in your relationship with Jesus. You can grow in your worship and giving to Him as well. Seeking and worshiping the Savior is not just for Christmas, but for every day of our lives.

Conclusion: Treasuring the Gift That Changes Everything

As we draw our Lessons from the Manger to a close, let’s think back to the image we began with. A child discovering an unexpected gift amidst the more eye-catching presents. This simple, but profound gift, initially overlooked, eventually becomes the most treasured.

In a similar way, the birth of Jesus in a humble manger might have seemed insignificant. Yet, that unassuming birth in Bethlehem was the most extraordinary gift of all. The lessons that we learned today from the Nativity story remind us that God’s ways often defy our expectation.

The birth of Jesus began a journey that led to Jesus dying to become our Savior. He was the gift that brough salvation, hope and light into a world lost in darkness. This Christas season and beyond, let us share the joy, seek a deeper relationship with Jesus and grow in our worship of Him with all we have.

The gift of Jesus is the true treasure of Christmas. May we share that joy with everyone around us. Let this season renew our devotion to Christ and our commitment to live for Him.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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