The Manger Waited

(God’s provision)

Before they left the garden

And before the fall of man

Before they knew they’d need a Savior

God had in mind a plan

The manger waited

Before Israel crossed the Red Sea

To roam the desert sand

Before they all repented

And entered the Promised Land

The manger waited

Before the King was prophesied

Who would set the captives free

Before the lamb would bleed and die

For sinners just like me

The manger waited

Before a young girl in Nazareth,

received news from the Angel there

Before this one, who had not known a man

The Son of God would bear.

The manger waited

Before Joseph and Mary arrived in town

To find there was no room

Before they were given the stable so humble

For the birth that would come soon

The manger waited

Before Angels sang to shepherds that night

Guarding their sheep upon a hill

Before they gave the message, “Do not fear…

Peace on earth and God’s good will”

The manger waited

Before the shepherds raced to Bethlehem

To worship the new born King

Before the bright star led travelers from afar,

Three Wise Men, who gifts would bring

The manger waited

Before the world would come to know

The gift, whom to them was given

Before he would teach, and save, and heal

Calling each to the kingdom of Heaven

The manger waited

Before these things and many more

Would surely come to pass

Before God’s plan to redeem the lost

Would come to us at last

The manger waited

The Manger Waited

© Annette B. Rhodes

November 18, 2021