She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Luke 2:7

St. Francis of Assisi in the fourteenth century meditated a great deal on the story of Jesus’ birth.  For him, the manger, the stable and the animals where signs of Jesus being born so humble and so poor.  

St. Luke would agree with Francis’ meditation.  However, he had a few other ideas when he wrote about the birth of Jesus. There are two further points he brings to our silent, prayerful meditation.  First, there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn, because Jesus did not just come for a visit to stay awhile, as we do when we stop at a motel.  Jesus came to stay!  Second, Mary and Joseph laid Jesus in a manger, which means a place where animals eat.  Jesus rests for the first time in a wooden box reminding us of the wood of the cross, where he would come to rest in death. He gave us his presence in Holy Communion so that we might eat of him and live forever.

  Luke 2:1-20 

Examples of Bible Breaths Learn More…

The donkey to Bethlehem v. 4
Laying Him in a manger v. 7
Hosanna in excelsis v. 14
Mary ponders in her heart. v. 19

Check out Study Tools in BibleGateway.
I especially recommend the free resource
in Matthew Henry’s Commentary.‘s Commentary.

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