Word of the Day
December 25, 2019
Manger
A trough or open box in a stable used to hold food for livestock; in Christian tradition, the humble vessel that served as the first bed for the infant Jesus, symbolizing God’s choice to enter the world in poverty rather than privilege.
From Old French 'mangeure' meaning 'feeding trough,' derived from Latin 'manducare' meaning 'to chew' or 'to eat.' The word entered English in the 14th century.
Usage Examples
- The Christmas story tells of Mary laying the newborn Jesus in a manger because there was no room at the inn.
- The humble manger stands in stark contrast to the palaces where earthly kings are born.
- Churches around the world display nativity scenes featuring the manger at their center.
From the Show
Chris Stefanick emphasized the significance of the manger during the Christmas Day 2019 discussion, noting that while modern nativity scenes romanticize the setting, the reality represented genuine hardship and God’s deliberate choice to enter human suffering.