The Lord of the Manger
by Edmund P. Clowney

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. – Luke 2:11-12

Yes, there in the manger is revealed the glory of the LORD. The manger is a sign of greater wonder than the birth of the Davidic King. He is the LORD’s Christ (Luke 2:26), but he is more. The angels call him “Christ, the LORD” (Luke 2:11). When the virgin conceives and bears a Son, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). God’s ancient sign, greater than any that man might ask from the heights to the depths (Isa. 7:11, 14), has been given at last. Every sign of God’s covenant promise – from the arching bow in the clouds to the sign of Jonah in the depths of death – every sign must wait for the sign of the manger.

The salvation that God promises is so great that he must come himself to bring it in. David could repel the Philistines to deliver the people of God, but David’s greater Son must overcome all the powers of darkness, for he must save his people from their sins. When God “lifts up his head” in victory, he ascends to his throne, where he must sit until every enemy, even death, is put under his feet (Psa. 110; 1 Cor. 15:25-26; Eph. 1:19-23).

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! – Luke 2:14

Family News

As the New Year is about to dawn upon us, we look back at God’s wonderful works in our lives this year. Most of all, Evelyn and I give thanks for mercy he bestowed on us after we emerged from a freeway car accident last June almost unscathed. We also praise our heavenly Father:

• for taking care of our needs through you, our faithful friends. The Lord supplied funds for our trip to Manila, our settling costs, and a vehicle. He prepared a roomy, comfortable and affordable apartment for us.
• for the opportunity to teach dedicated young men and women at Presbyterian Theological Seminary and at Unida Biblical Seminary called to serve God as ministers and teachers; and for the freedom to enlighten them about Bible translation work still needing to be done all over Asia.
• for giving Tim and Chesney times of work and recreation; and times of joy and parenting lessons with a cute toddler named Caleb.
• for giving Lem a good last year at school; for extra income as a wedding photographer; and for paid internship at CityTeam Ministries.
• for Oliver’s perseverance in his studies at Biola, and for the 16-year-old car that’s still in good condition.
• for Rachel’s patience in moving to another school, and moving three times in four months! She misses her friends in Escondido, but has made some new friends in Manila.
  

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