"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.'" (Matthew 1:21-23)
What a glorious proclamation of, "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." Now, in this baby in a feeding place for animals is, "God with us," God our Savior, God who is fulfilling, "....save His people from their sins." Here is God, yet I don't think He could have found a more humble place to reveal Himself as, "God with us."
Have you ever noticed how modern religion makes such a big show of everything, huge buildings, grand productions, spending money lavishly? Yet all this is in interesting contrast to the revelation of, "God with us," in a feeding trough, of Him Whose very Name is Salvation, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." I think of the tradition of the inauguration of American presidents, the balls, the parties, the millions of dollars spent. Then I think of a barn-like atmosphere and a feeding trough for the King of the Universe. Something isn't quite right here, or maybe it is.
During the Christmas Season it is difficult to see the grand humility, the obscureness of God's Supreme Revelation to man. In the midst of our celebration, the lights, the presents, the cantatas is a call to quiet humility before others, a humility which we find in that feeding trough, with only a few sheepherders and animals--------- the carpenter and his wife------------outside of the comfort and warmth of the inn--------- yet inside our hearts.
Father, in Jesus' Name, ---the wonder of Your humble revelation of, "God with us." I pray You thus manifest in me. Amen.
What a glorious proclamation of, "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." Now, in this baby in a feeding place for animals is, "God with us," God our Savior, God who is fulfilling, "....save His people from their sins." Here is God, yet I don't think He could have found a more humble place to reveal Himself as, "God with us."
Have you ever noticed how modern religion makes such a big show of everything, huge buildings, grand productions, spending money lavishly? Yet all this is in interesting contrast to the revelation of, "God with us," in a feeding trough, of Him Whose very Name is Salvation, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." I think of the tradition of the inauguration of American presidents, the balls, the parties, the millions of dollars spent. Then I think of a barn-like atmosphere and a feeding trough for the King of the Universe. Something isn't quite right here, or maybe it is.
During the Christmas Season it is difficult to see the grand humility, the obscureness of God's Supreme Revelation to man. In the midst of our celebration, the lights, the presents, the cantatas is a call to quiet humility before others, a humility which we find in that feeding trough, with only a few sheepherders and animals--------- the carpenter and his wife------------outside of the comfort and warmth of the inn--------- yet inside our hearts.
Father, in Jesus' Name, ---the wonder of Your humble revelation of, "God with us." I pray You thus manifest in me. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
