The lowly shelter, whether a barn or a cave, was the chosen location for many reasons. Since “there was no room for them in the inn”, or perhaps within the hearts of many men, the resting and feeding place for animals became the holy birthplace. Such an atmosphere has especially strong meaning, as it would be the grown Savior who would later offer men to come unto him and get rest, and to partake of his spiritual nourishments and never hunger nor thirst again.
The manger, which Mary laid her baby in, is similarly meaningful. The word manger, comes from French, which means “to eat”. He who was known as the “Bread of Life”, born in a feeding stall, invited all men to eat.
The animals that might have been the most likely to be in residence at the stable, and often represented in nativity crèches and pageants, were the lamb, the ox, and the donkey. Each of these animals bear significance into the representations of the Savior himself.
The lamb represented the Lamb of God - the first born who would be sacrificed - as well as the Lord’s gentle, meek and mild character. The lamb was there as one of the first to follow the Good Shepherd.
The ox, or oxen, often used to make a peace offering on holy altars, also have representation of the Lord’s sacrifice. On the backs of twelve of these animals have rested baptismal fonts in early biblical and in modern times. The strength of the ox is a symbol of the strength and power of the Lord and his gospel.
The donkey was honored to be the chosen animal to carry on its back the Savior of the World at two important moments. His first ride on a donkey occurred within his mother Mary’s belly as she rode to Bethlehem where she would give divine birth. The second was his triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, as he prepared for the final moments of his ministry, atonement and death.
No comments:
Post a Comment