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Beyond the Manger

The cherry trees have bloomed, winter is here and the "new" year is almost at its end (strange that though every day was a new day and will be to its end, the year suddenly feels old). This is the festive season - Christmas and everyone is joining in. For the greater part of the people here, we will once again gather by the fireplace, around dinner tables with family and friends; we will once again walk the "old town" with its new look - adorned and with the sound of music in the air and the blazing horns of the traffic, melodious noise fusion at its best. Yet all is solemn at the manger where the greater part of us will go, to revisit a story that's over two thousand years old and pay our respects (I imagine though, that the first "manger" night might not have been as solemn or dignified).

What is the "manger" story all about? A touching scene of a baby with his parents and animals around? Of inquisitive shepherds who come to see what they are told? Of magi who from the east who would later come to a house bearing gifts? Of a baby who was in the danger of being killed by a 'threatened' ruler? What is the "manger" story all about?

There is it seems another story beyond the manger, a story of a cross, not as appealing or charming as the manger scene. This other story was a shock and "foolishness" to some who heard it and perhaps it still is. However as harsh as this other story may sound, this is where the manger story leads to - a harsh death to offer life for others. Is this then the end of the story? I believe there is another story of a quiet burial and a victorious resurrection—a glimmer of hope for everyone who listens to it: death is not the end, there is more beyond. The story says there is a sequel—the baby born in the manger is coming again not as a baby but a victorious King. When will this happen? That's the hard part, we do not know. What does that mean? We are living between the scenes, waiting for the final curtain call.

There is more to the manger scene than meets the eye, there is a story that runs through beyond the manger. For the greater part of us who will revisit the manger this season, may we also look beyond the manger as much as we are taken in by the scene at the manger; may we understand that our own stories are woven into the story that the manger unfolds and that it continues beyond. This is a story of light, of love, of hope and of peace on earth goodwill to all.

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