In The Shadow of The Manger

In the shadow of the manger lies an old rugged cross,
There between the cross and manger lies a world that is lost;
Our Father’s heart is heavy, seems like it will surely break,
So He sends His Son to earth to die for our sake.

Chorus
Close your eyes, can’t you feel it?
It’s been sent from Heaven above.
At the Cross is where you’ll find it,
in the depths of His love.

Look beyond the shadowed manger, look beyond the rugged cross,
There you’ll find an empty tomb, a sign of hope for all who’s lost;
Just turn your eyes to Jesus, see what He has done for you,
Then give your life to Him, He can make all things new.

All around the shadowed manager, all around the rugged cross,
All around the empty tomb, close your eyes and feel the cost.
His love is never ending, reaches through eternity,
It’s the greatest gift of all, and praise God, it is free.

The song today is probably not one that many of you will be familiar with.  I was made aware of this song by a friend (and devoted “Hymn of the week” reader)  from North Cleveland Baptist Church – Susie Chittenden.  This song was written by another member of North Cleveland Baptist, Jean Cannon, and is used with her permission.  Susie had sent me these lyrics and sheet music awhile back, and I thought they provided an interesting take on the manger, and so I decided to share it.  Thanks to Susie for sharing with me, and thanks to Jean for writing these words.

The thing I really like about this song is the connection between the manger, the cross, and the tomb.  This connection is critical to understanding the true meaning of Christmas.  For without the birth in a manger, mankind is without hope.  The Old Testament sacrificial system was insufficient.  Mankind needed a savior who “was touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but yet without sin.”  God provided that in the form of a baby.  But that part of the Christmas story is only half the story.  We must believe that this little baby who was born in a manger eventually grew up, lived a sinless life, and died on the Cross for the remission of the sin of mankind.  We must also believe that He is risen from the dead.  Just as Isaiah prophesied His coming in chapter 9, he also foretold his death in chapter 53.  These events cannot be separated, and I appreciate how Mrs. Cannon linked them together.

I also have a mental picture in my mind from the words of this song.  A portrait of the Nativity scene with the Star of Bethlehem shining bright.  I can envision this light shining over the place where Jesus lay, casting it’s shadow in the form of a Cross.  I see the Cross stretching towards Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds, and the wise men.  God’s grace stretching towards men and women.  To the wise and wealthy, and to the poor and lowly.  It is a picture of God’s ultimate plan of salvation revealed in the manager and the cross.

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• Between the manger and the cross – From a time standpoint, there was about 33 years between the time of Christ’s birth and the Cross.  I thought about all the things that transpired from those two momentous events.  Although there is a lot about Jesus’ last three years on Earth, there is little in Scripture about the first thirty years of His life.  However, there is a phrase at the tale end of Luke’s story of Christ’s birth regarding Jesus.  Luke says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”  If you really want a picture of what Jesus was like “between the manger and the cross,” I think these words sum it up.  He grew up physically and in wisdom.  He had God’s favor on Him and the favor of men.

• Praise God, it is free – There really are no better words to say than “Praise God” when we think about the free gift of salvation.  Praise should just flow from our mouths when we think about a perfect, loving God who had a plan from the foundation of the world to save sinners.  His Grace is truly amazing.  It should elicit within us a thankfulness and praise because we didn’t have to do anything to earn it.  It was free.  If we had to pay money for salvation, no one could afford it.  If we had to do good works to get to heaven, we would all fail miserably.  If we had to be holy and sinless on our own, we would be men most miserable.  But because of His free grace, we can praise His name.

I was reminded of a certain phrase when I read the lyrics to this song.  The phrase “living in the shadows” came to mind, but to me, this phrase had negative connotations.  In my mind, “living in the shadows” reminded me of doing evil behind the scenes or in the back alleys of a big city.  Things that go on but are hidden from the world because of their evil and wickedness.

However, after reading the lyrics to this song, I wondered if I need to spend more time “living in the shadows.”  No, not doing wicked things in the “shadows.”  But having a mindset that is constantly impacted by the light of God’s grace displayed in both a manger and a cross.  The manger reminds us that “God so loved that He gave,” and the Cross reminds us that “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.”  The world needs more people “living in the shadows” – the shadow of the Manger and the Cross.  Living in the shadow of mercy and grace.