In a Manger

It was a dark, starry night.

A woman.

A man.

A babe.

A busy time of year because of a government census.

People from places all over came back to their roots in Bethlehem.
Houses were full.

Rooms were taken.

There was no place for them to rest.
Let alone, give birth.

But there was an animal stall with a manger.

And this is where the small family found themselves.

It was a dark, starry night.
A manger.
A food trough.
A crib in which animals dipped their faces as they ate their food and were nourished.
I wonder, did they look on with curiosity when a wee human was resting where food once did?
A crib for food.
A crib for a baby.
A baby who would later be called the bread of life, the bread of heaven.

The one who once lay in a bed for food became the food for life.

"It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (John 6:32-33, NIV)

The one who once slept in a food box became the one who fed the hungry.

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never go thirsty." (John 6:35, NIV)

It was a dark, starry night.
A vibrant star.
A young couple.
A baby.
A manger.
Shepherds.
Angels.
Wise men.
Gifts.
Love.
Joy.
Hope.
The one who was swaddled in an animal food cradle became the one to cradle humanity in His arms.

"He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart ..." (Isaiah 40:11, NIV)

It was a dark, starry night.
And in that moment, the story of humanity went from desperate to hopeful.
Dark to light.
Hungry to fed.

It was a dark, starry night.
And it was good.