Why In A Manger?

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)

"Why in a Manger?"

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed?
Have I heard right what has been said?
Did Jesus the one who was born King of all,
Sleep in a manger in some cattle stall?

Why in a manger was the Christ-child laid?
Why was there no room and no bed there that day?
Why was he placed among oxen and sheep?
Why in the hay did the Christ-child sleep?

Could God not have opened a room in the inn?
Was no one in Bethlehem waiting for him?
Did not someone's heart go out to the child?
Could no one have spared him their bed for a while?

God had His purposes, He always does.
He knew that the manger was not all that there was.
He could have provided a bed for His son.
But, God knew the manger would be the best one.

For God knew the manger would tell through all time
That Jesus had come to save all of mankind;
Not just the famous, the strong or the rich,
He came for the humble and those such as this.

So, there in a manger, the humblest of beds,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay.
Our precious Lord Jesus was asleep on the hay.

-Timothy A. Harris

Have a blessed Christmas Day!