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Manger Throne (December 22)

Dec22

To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CbWXf1Gw-w

Story Behind the Song

Manger Throne is a song performed by the Christian Band Third Day.  The song first appeared on the Christmas album titled City On a Hill: It’s Christmas Time released in 2002.

Commentary & Analysis

I love songs that really capture the condescension of Christ at Christmastime.  In this song, Mac Powell asks, with an appropriate level of reverence, “What kind of King would leave his throne in Heaven to make this earth his home?”  I think that sometimes, at Christmastime, we forget everything that God gave up to put on human skin, to come to earth, to be tempted in all ways like his creation, to be persecuted, to be falsely accused and to die on the cross to reconcile us to him.  This song asks the question, what kind of man would do that?  The answer is clear – no normal man would, but God did!  Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and whether he is sitting in the throne room of God or lying in a dirty manger, he is still king – thus the title of the song “Manger Throne.”  The song ends with a reminder that our heart is also the throne of God.

Questions for further Reflection / Devotion

The following questions are meant for your reflection and or devotion.  Feel free to meditate on them, discuss them with your family or others or post your responses here.  I would love to hear from you.

  1. Take some time to meditate on all that God gave up for you.
  2. Have you thanked God today for all he gave up to come to earth to save you?
  3. What have you given up for God?  What do you feel him calling you to give up for him?
  4. How is it that the original Christmas was marked by giving up so much and Christmas today is marked by such materialism?  What are you doing to make sure that your Christmas is not consumed by materialism?
  5. Spend some time today in prayer.  Pray about how God would have you change the way you celebrate Christmas so that you can bring glory to his name.

Lyrics

What kind of King would leave His throne
In Heaven to make this earth His home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In loneliness our King comes down

Jesus, Jesus, precious One
How we thank You that You’ve come
Jesus, Jesus, precious One
A manger throne for God’s own Son

You left the sound of angels’ praise
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this Baby’s helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest

What kind of King would come so small
From glory to a humble stall?
That dirty manger is my heart, too
I’ll make it a royal throne for You

My heart is a throne
My heart is a throne for God’s own Son

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