Seeking Jesus This Christmas- Day 10: Dec 10 | Manger Animals, The Significance of the Animal Stable

Read: Luke 2:6-12

Key Verse: “This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:12)

The Bible does not specifically say that there were animals present at the birth of Jesus Christ. However, due to His birth being in an animal stable, one could assume that there may have been variety of stable animals at that time. What matters more is the deeper significance of why Jesus was born in a stable.

Biblical history tells us that Mary and Joseph had to journey to Bethlehem to take part in a census decreed by Caesar Augustus. (Luke 2:1) Behind the earthly command there was heavenly purpose that would have Mary deliver the Child in Bethlehem, the city of David, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. (Micah 5:2) Added to that, there was a greater reason for His birth being in a stable than just the fact of there not being room in the inn. Jesus was born in the stable to fulfill a promise that dates back to the first chapters in Genesis. 

In Genesis 1:24-28 it states that the animals were created before Adam and that he would rule over them. It was while he was naming the animals that Adam learned that there was no one corresponding to him and the result was God creating the woman who would be known as Eve. So, animals were present to witness the creation of man and woman who would have dominion over them. But that is not all animals have witnessed. They were present to witness the fall of Adam and Eve as they used leaves to try to hide their shame (Genesis 3:7). It was an innocent animal that would be the first to feel the penalty of sin. “And the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21). 

From that time on an unblemished animal would represent the temporary solution for sin until the time would come for the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) to come to earth to once and for all atone for the sins of mankind. Until then a sacrificial animal’s blood would be the covering and the temporary price paid for sin. Jesus was born in a stable (that may or may not have had animals there) as He is the One whose blood would be shed as as the final sacrifice before the Lord.