Jesus, the King of Kings and creator of the universe had an animal feeding trough for his first crib.
God decided that his son would be born in ordinary and humble settings. He was born into poverty to parents who were homeless and it is fairly astonishing that God would even allow this, let alone choose it.
One of my children was nearly born in a hospital car park but I was fairly insistent that they would be born in the clean and comfortable maternity unit and we made it inside just in time. God chose to allow his son be born in this dirty, smelly, unhygienic place which is astonishing!
Through his choice of humble surroundings for the birthplace, God signals his intent.
Jesus’ coming wasn’t a cheap PR exercise. This was God getting his hands dirty and really becoming like one of us. God could have provided Jesus with a birth fit for a king but instead he chose for his son to be placed in a manger in the place where the animals were kept.
Some people think that their lives aren’t clean enough to invite Jesus to be a part of but the birthplace of Jesus reminds us that God isn’t fussy about where his presence dwells.
God is present and at work in the ordinary and his presence will transform the lives of the people who he lives within.
Do you have room in your life for Jesus?
This is a part of a series of short thoughts for advent to help us to consider the events surrounding the birth of Jesus as we prepare ourselves for Christmas. You can look at the other advent reflections by clicking here.
You can read more about the birth of Jesus in Luke 2.
Image taken from Free Bible Images
Honest about my faith 
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