2 minute read
Faith
by Debbie Wallis
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which I will give for the life of the world." Jesus' birth in Bethlehem is more than a census decree. It’s God designed and directed.
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn,” Luke 2:6-7.
Nativity scenes decorate our homes, our lawns and our Christmas cards For many of us, the manger is a reminder of the true meaning of the holiday when Christian roots seem to be threatened When Jesus was born, a manger was not a decoration It was where food would be placed for sheep and other animals
Christmas is good news because of Easter, but there would be no cross without the manger Jesus was laid as a baby in a manger with the remnants of animal feed and hay
Shortly before Calvary, Jesus would take a loaf of bread, break it and tell His disciples, "This is My body given for you" Luke 22:19. Jesus' purpose in coming to earth was to be broken for our sins. Jesus would also declare in John 6:48 and 51, "I am the Bread of Life This bread is My flesh,
The shepherds were forever changed that first Christmas night We should learn and follow their example as we celebrate Christ's birth at Christmas The shepherds broke their own rule of leaving their sheep behind They walked away in search of the new thing the Lord was doing Luke 14:26 says, “You cannot be My disciple unless you love Me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters You cannot come with Me unless you love Me more than you love your own life.” Luke is not telling us we have to literally leave all of our family like the disciples did. He is saying if Jesus asks you to…would you be willing? You can have no one or no thing that you cherish more than following Jesus Not just in words but in all your actions
Luke 2:17 tells us that the shepherds shared their experience with everyone they could find They couldn't stop talking about Jesus and what God had done for them In Luke 2:20 it says the shepherds left the manger "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen ” Shepherds lived their lives like peasants Most spent their lives on the edge of society, feeling disconnected from the God of Israel. Through Jesus, God brought these men near and they couldn't help but worship!
There is nothing we can do to make our way to God God made His way to us through the birth of Jesus New life will not be found in anything we may do for God but only in what Jesus has already done for us “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. Purposely look for the manger in Naivety scenes this Christmas. The Bread of Life was born to be the Broken Bread for your salvation It’s not by happenstance that the enemy of our soul wants to have it removed from our eye sight Hide the vision of Jesus born in a manager in your heart because the day has come where there are few to view
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me " Luke 22:19
If you don’t have a Bible please contact me at sfadebbie@yahoo.com and I will provide you one.
