The Manger: Leadership in Small and Hidden Places
By mid-December the final bell has rung, the corridors have fallen silent, and leaders can finally breathe out. It is a moment of relief, but also of reflection. In the quiet, we notice what mattered most and what may need tending in the months ahead.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:7
Jesus Christ enters the world in a place so ordinary it almost seems unfit for His arrival. Yet this is God’s pattern. His most transformative work begins in small, humble places.
Leadership Lesson
We often equate leadership with largeness, visibility, and momentum. Yet God begins in hiddenness and humility. The manger teaches us not to despise the small things. Many of the most important moments in leadership are quiet and unseen. A restorative conversation. A difficult truth spoken with compassion. A gentle act of service that strengthens a weary colleague. Christmas invites leaders to recognise the holiness of humble beginnings.
Reflection Questions
- Where has God worked quietly in my leadership this term?
- What small beginnings might I be overlooking?
- What needs to be laid down so something new can be born?
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, born in humility, shape my leadership with the same gentleness.
Help me value what is small and unseen, and restore what is weary within me.
Amen.
Emmaus Leadership Insight
Christmas often becomes the moment when senior leaders first share that they may be ready for a change. These conversations can feel tender and unexpected. If you find your school, trust or diocese facing a leadership transition, Emmaus Leadership is here to support you with care, discretion and deep experience in recruiting senior leaders for Christian education.
www.emmausleadership.me