A well constructed resume is vital in seeking employment. It is the first look a potential employer has of the job applicant and mistakes such as misspellings or grammar errors do not create a good first impression!

I’ve encountered resumes with errors, usually with a word that is spelled correctly, but is wrong because it is the misspelling of another word intended to be used (e.g.- bee instead of be; to instead of too or two).  A classic example appearing on resumes or cover letters, and one especially appropriate at Christmas, is manger instead of manager.  Manger sneaks into a cover letter or resume masquerading as a properly spelled word even though it is a typo of the intended word manager.  Unfortunately, its appearance in a resume or cover letter can be comical. “I am applying for the position of manger” is great in a cover letter if your career goal is feeding barnyard animals with a bale of hay strapped to your back while down on all fours.  Listing “Store Manger” on a resume leaves the reader wondering if you were in a position of great responsibility or in an extremely low entry level position in the employee break-room, responsible for handing out snacks.

But in our daily lives as Christians, we indeed should be mangers and not managers.  Satan constantly whispers in our ears that we should be in control of all aspects of our lives, to be the managers of our lives.  The notorious Herod the Great (aka- King Herod) is a scriptural example of the extremes to which someone may go to remain the manager in control of their life (Matthew 2:16) .

How will my life improve if instead I become a manger, prepared to welcome Jesus Christ into my life not just during Christmas, but every single day?  Jesus arrived in our world not as a majestic king upon a splendid throne, but as an unpretentious baby placed in a humble and lowly manger.  Subsequently, our lives should be that of humble mangers, always ready to welcome Jesus Christ on a daily basis.  As the season of Advent draws to a close and the splendor of Christmas awaits, reflect on the words the angel spoke to the shepherds that most holy night:

“For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you:  you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:11-12