The following guest post is a special Christmas series from George Lockhart of the Youth Culture Report:
MTV produced CRIBS, a show that takes us into the homes of famous people. In the span of 5 to 15 minutes, we can catch a glimpse of all that is important, meaningful and celebrated by this “star.” Taking virtual tours like this through a celebrity’s home reveals much about the person and gives insight to who they really are.
There’s nothing like seeing the “crib” of someone you admire or idolize! We look at houses as a reflection of who we are. Our home is an extension and revelation of what we value.
The case is no different for Jesus! Not only was the fact that Jesus was born in a manger something to take notice of but the city in which Jesus was born! Jesus made His grand appearance in a small town called Bethlehem. It is in this small village where He established His “crib.” In doing so, He fulfilled a prophecy:
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
In Hebrew the word “Bethlehem” means “House of Bread.” Could this be why Jesus chose to refer to Himself as the Bread of Life? If your house/crib represents you, then wouldn’t you take up the name for your house? I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Jesus is born in this “crib.” It is nothing short of the supernatural sovereignty of God that has the Bread of Life being born in the “House of Bread,” Bethlehem.
Going a step further, in Aramaic the word “Bethlehem” means “House of Flesh.” Is this more irony? Another coincidence? I believe this is HUGE! Here we have the God of all, who is Spirit, taking on FLESH! He has come. God with us is truly WITH US. It was in the House of Flesh that Jesus became flesh with us and for us. He would never be the same, nor would we because of this one single act. God was now tangible, huggable, and even kissable, because He was in the flesh. He was able to also feel hurt, pain and even suffer death because of this incarnation. Jesus had become the physical representation of His crib, the House of Flesh.
So here we are at Christmas celebrating a babe born in a little town called Bethlehem. How would this Christmas be different if Jesus was born into you?
What if the House of Bread and the House of Flesh became the House of You?
What if Bethlehem was more about Calvary?
What if the manager was more about the resurrection and God saying to us through His Spirit: “Be Him In Them”?
If our lives are an extension of God and we are the temples in which He dwells, then we are His CRIB for life.
Follow
