Isaiah the prophet begins with a mention of a manger and an implied question that “a donkey knows its master’s manger, will we?” I can’t help but think that the prophet appears to have influenced the writer of the Gospel of Luke in some way. It may be Isaiah’s reference to a manger that influences Luke to mention the manger. Actually Luke does more than mention the manger. He brings it up three times (chapter 2.7, 12, 16) in twenty verses as he wants to make sure that we know that it is there and this is where Jesus can be found.
Raymond Brown suggests that Luke is less interested in the details of birth than making sure we know where Mary laid the baby. I remember many Christmas plays where the emphasis was on the heartless innkeeper. But Luke may be trying to tell us that the manger was the plan all along. Perhaps our Christmas plays should emphasize the innkeeper pointing toward the manger and saying “come on Joseph haven’t you read Isaiah?” Luke may be suggesting that God sustains His people through the birth of this child born and laid in a manger. If this is the case, perhaps an implied question is in order, “a donkey knows its master’s manger, will we?”
It is another point of interest that Isaiah (chapter seven) gives “a sign.” This sign is a child. A sign that reminds us that God is the One in control and that it is His desire to save. This time of year especially we are reminded that Luke also gives us “a sign” (2.12). We are well aware that this sign is also a child. If nothing else we are aware that God chooses an unlikely way to communicate His desire to save. While making connections with Luke’s Christmas narrative and Isaiah, we might mention that the “good news” of Luke 2.10 may echo the “good news” of Isaiah 52.7. Maybe Isaiah was the first to use the term “gospel.”
The angel announcement also includes titles for the child (2.11). Brown suggests that the primary background for this comes from Isaiah 9, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us.” He goes on to say that “in the Isaian context this child is the heir to the throne of David, and his royal titles follow: Wonderful Counselor, Divine Hero, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Brown says that “Luke has taken over this Isaian birth announcement of the heir to the throne of David… but he has substituted three titles taken from the Christian kerygma; Savior, Messiah (Christ), Lord.”
What a strange God this is who announces his plan to deliver with the birth of a child who is laid in a manger. Ever held a baby? Cradled him in your arms? Felt the heartbeat? Breathed in the newborn smell? Rubbed your lips over the top of his head? Tasted his cheek with a kiss? Listened to his cry? Watched while he slept? God thinks this is a good way to bring good news into the world. Certainly there are more efficient, effective ways. Certainly there are ways that may leave a greater impact. Who comes up with these plans? Does God need a public relations person? Nevertheless, we get a child.
And at this time of year we celebrate God’s great plan to deliver by sending a baby. And laying the baby in a manger. The ways of God may seem strange, still – these are the ways of God.
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