“The virgin will conceive and give
birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with
us”). Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
My wife is a Kindergarten teacher and the other day when I was visiting her classroom I found it interesting that I had to step around a globe (a model of the Earth) that was sitting on the floor in the middle of her classroom.
A globe on the floor? It seemed out of place. Shouldn’t it be on a desk, or on a shelf, or even atop a bookcase? My inclination was to pick up the globe and put it in a more orderly, safe and “appropriate” location.
But I am not a Kindergarten teacher.
A Kindergarten classroom is all about its inhabitants. If the globe is placed beyond the students’ reach, they can’t access it. They can’t understand it. They can’t experience it together.
A globe on the floor is the sure sign of a Kindergarten teacher who understands and cares for her students. Where a neat freak might be inclined to put the globe in a safe and “appropriate” place, a good Kindergarten teacher knows what her students need. Regardless of personal preference or a compulsion for order, a good teacher serves the objects of her concern, affection and purpose—her students.
'Tis the Season and that globe on the floor reminded me of a manger and another good teacher.
God is “the” good teacher.[1] More than that, God is the creator of the universe. Even the finest, most ornate globe ever made by human hands is but a rudimentary model of the amazing handiwork of God. God is holy and awesome and transcends human knowledge and understanding. The rightful place of the Lord of all creation is in the highest, most majestic realm of heaven.
However, being a good teacher, God knew what his children needed. We needed God at our level—flesh and blood living among us.[2] God knew that we needed to know, access and experience him together.
In the midst of our need the angel proclaimed, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”[3]
God’s son, born in a barn? It seems out of place. But that baby in a manger is the sure sign of a God who understands and cares for his children. God sent his son, Jesus, from the highest place in heaven down to the dirt floor of a stable on earth. Born to a peasant girl, in a filthy barn, the Holy one of heaven got messy and engaged in a world of disorder so that he could connect with the objects of his love, affection and purpose—his children.
A globe on the floor of a Kindergarten classroom reminds me of the Son of God in a manger who lowered himself, even to the level of a servant, [4] so He could be known and loved by his children.
“For God so loved the world that He sent His only son, that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved.”[5]
Merry Christmas!
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