The Manger

The word “manger” is mentioned three times in Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus. In Luke 2:12 it says it is a sign!

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ... And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ... And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." - Luke 2:7, 12, 16

According to Thayer’s Lexicon, the word "manger" means feeding trough. It is another word for “crib.” "Crib" is found in Isaiah 1:3.

"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib [manger]: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." - Isaiah 1:2-3

Rebellion brings spiritual blindness. It appears the Lord is revealing that because of rebellion, Israel would not recognize their Savior.

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not." - John 1:10-11

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12-13

How do we receive Him?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39