Manger

MANGER

Have you ever considered the manger?

Some crudely cut wood pieced together

used as a feed box for barnyard animals

was nothing extraordinary after all.

A lowly, humble, crude trough

made out of wood cut rough

to serve a purpose -

to hold hay was its use.

Nothing fancy about it, probably quite plain.

Perhaps not even chiseled with a plane.

Nothing that would garner attention -

except when dinnertime came.

But maybe there was something quite remarkable.

One, it was accessible; and two, available.

It made a convenient bassinet or crib

for it would cradle a baby, it did.

The manger, a word heard once a year

when reading the first Christmas story dear.

Though humble, this lowly manger,

would cradle the promised Savior.

It's purpose glorified that night

brought the shepherds delight

for just as the angel said

it was the Savior's bed.

In fact, “the King's bed,”

it could be said.

God had a plan to turn what was humble, yet available,

into something extraordinarily wonderful!

* * * * *

Have you ever thought

you could never do that?

Is it because you feel insecure or inferior?

Perhaps lowly like the humble manger.

Do your anxieties hold you back?

Maybe it's confidence you lack?

Perhaps not speak in front of a crowd

because your knees would be knocking too loud.

Do you know God uses what's available

and He will give you grace that enables.

Do you suppose God could use someone like you

if you had the courage to ask Him to?

The Bible shows us God doesn't look at the outward stuff,

so if you think you're not thin enough or educated enough,

be aware God is more concerned about the attitude of your heart

then He is about status that you think might set someone apart.

Ask God to give you a testimony bold

and He will refine you as the choicest gold.

Notice God didn't chose the most gifted speakers

for God's Word records tongue-tied orators/preachers.

Moses and Jeremiah tried to bow out

when God surprisingly chose them to shout out

His message to His people,

their excuses being feeble.

God has a wonderful plan and purpose just for you.

All you need is to see yourself through God's loving view.

Like the manger, God has something wonderful waiting for you.

Ask God for His holy boldness then go out and share the Good News.

This will be a sign to you:

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths

and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:12

Moses said to the Lord,

“O Lord, I have never been eloquent,

neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant.

I am slow of speech and tongue.”

The Lord said to him,

“Who gave man his mouth?

Who makes him deaf or mute?

Who gives him sight or makes him blind?

Is it not I, the Lord? Now go;

I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Exodus 4:10-12

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said,

“I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, 'I am only a child'.

You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you."

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me,

“Now, I have put my words in your mouth.”

Jeremiah 1:4-9

Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.

I Samuel 16:7

Enable your servants to speak your word

with great boldness.

Acts 4:29

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

As for you, the anointing your received from him remains in you,

and you do not need anyone to teach you.

But as this anointing teaches you about all things

and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit -

just as it has taught you, remain in him.

I John 2:27

No Room

NO ROOM

Two little significant words: “no room.”

The inn had no available rooms.

Because of the new census being taken,

Bethlehem was overflowing with citizens.

"No rooms" may have been passed along the street.

"No rooms" greeted many who stood on tired feet.

Amidst the excitement of seeing family and friends,

there was no rooms for these travel-worn citizens.

The streets were crowded with visitors.

The inns were full with weary travelers.

The innkeepers had no more available rooms

though one innkeeper offered shelter, none too soon.

Did this innkeeper realize he was part of God's plan?

Had he prayed, "O Lord, may my life bless other humans?"

Or was he in it just for a profit?

Surely he knew the stable wasn't fit.

Did the innkeeper take pity on their plight?

Did other travelers sleep under the stars that night?

Was Bethlehem's weather forecast chilly or mild?

Did he know Mary was expecting her first child?

Mary and Joseph were offered a roof over their head.

A humble, crude protection without even a bed.

Not the delivery room one would expect

though this baby's birth was foretold by prophets.

There were no rooms, but God provided in the 11^th hour.

Yes, even these parents had to wait on God to reveal his power.

Not in the way one would expect to be sent

but in a way only God would invent.

* * * * *

No room history writes.

No rooms available that night.

No rooms anywhere.

No rooms to share.

Rejected even before He was born.

Later He would be beaten and scorned.

Promised as the Savior of the world

yet born in a humble cattle fold.

The question of the hour is: do you have room in your heart?

Have you rejected God and His Word or have you given God your heart?

Have you said to God there's "no room" for you?

Or have you found His promises to be true?

Though you may have rejected Him

God will never reject you. Amen!

Today, ask God to come in.

You'll be blessed again and again.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree

that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

(This was the first census that took place

while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,

to Bethlehem the town of David,

because he belonged to the house and line of David.

He went there to register with Mary,

who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

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 2:1-7

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Isaiah 53:3

Sheep

SHEEP

God is in the details

everyday without fail.

Consider a powerful little ant that provides aeration

or a blade of grass miraculously producing oxygen.

Yes, even in the smallest details there's a plan

to secure life for this earth and for humans.

What about the sheep in the story of Jesus' birth?

I don't think their being included was an accident.

We read in Luke that shepherds were watching their flocks or herds.

The Old Testament tells us that tending sheep was a common livelihood.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, King David, to name a few,

were shepherds who herded massive flocks of sheep, not a few.

The sheep in the Christmas story

are metaphors for our life's story.

"All we like sheep have gone astray,"

examples in the Bible teach us today.

The Old Testament shows us again and again

that God's people (His sheep) went astray then turned back again

to God, their Good Shepherd,

as recorded in God's Word.

Went astray as in seeking their own way

then turning back when their own way

caused heartache and hardship,

making a complete flip.

There's a parable in Matthew 18 about one sheep that wanders off.

When the shepherd realizes it, he's leaves the 99 in the fold and off

he goes to seek and save the one that is lost,

which brings the shepherd great joy when it's found safe.

We are that one sheep that goes astray.

The Good Shepherd, Jesus, is our Way.

He's also the Truth and the Life.

Is Jesus Lord of your life?

Do you seek God's will

over your own will?

If you seek your own will,

Jesus is not the Lord, nil.

* * * * *

The parable of the 99 was written into a hymn.

The lost is found. Don't you just love happy endings!

The Ninety and Nine

(copied)

There were ninety and nine that safely lay

in the shelter of the flock,

but one was out on the hills far away,

for off in the cold and dark;

away on the mountains wild and bare,

away from the tender shepherd's care,

away from the tender shepherd's care.

Lord, thou hast here thy ninety and nine;

are they not enough for thee?

But the shepherd made answer: This of mine

has wandered away from me;

and although the road be rough and steep,

I go to the desert to find my sheep,

I go to the desert to find my sheep.

And all through the mountains, thunder-riven,

and up from the rocky steep,

there arose a cry to the gate of heaven,

Rejoice! I have found my sheep!

And the angels echoed around the throne,

Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!

Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own.

And if he finds it, I tell you the truth,

he is happier about that one sheep

than about the ninety-nine

that did not wander off.

Matthew 18:13

From sheep to the Good Shepherd.

Jesus wants to be your Good Shepherd.

He wants you to come into the fold

and accept Him as Jesus Christ the Lord.

Matthew states that the shepherd is happy when the lost is found.

When you make the turn around (your waywardness lost, God's way found),

Jesus and all the angels celebrate

this life-changing date.

Meditate on these verses about the sheep and the shepherd.

Let them be a metaphor for your life - before and after the Lord.

Let the sheep of the Bible lead you

to the Good Shepherd who loves you.

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Luke 2:8

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want.

Psalm 23:1

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:3

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way.

Isaiah 53:6

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,

because they were harassed and helpless,

like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

The sheep listen to his voice.

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own,

he goes on ahead of them,

and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

John 10:3

I am the good shepherd.

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd;

I know my sheep and my sheep know me -

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -

and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:14-15

My sheep listen to my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

Our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

equip you with everything good for doing his will,

and may he work in us what is pleasing to him

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen

Hebrews 13:20

For you were like sheep going astray,

but now you have returned to the Shepherd

and Overseer of your souls.

I Peter 2:25

Shepherds

SHEPHERDS

Composed 12/3/11

Who was it that was first told

a story that would unfold

right before their very own eyes.

Were they ever in for a surprise!

It's the shepherds! They were so surprised!

It's recorded they were quite terrified!

This news was too terrific;

in fact, quite fantastic!

So off they hurried to see if it was so

still basking in the heavenly glow

of the glory of the Lord

that could not be ignored.

Was the Savior of the world born?

They arrived long before morn

to find each detail just as the angel said.

Yes! A baby was lying in the manger bed!

This baby, a Savior, Christ the Lord,

would bring peace and joy abroad

to every tribe in every nation

even down to our generation!

After witnessing this glorious news

they testified to everyone, not just a few.

Everyone was amazed

at history's new phase.

Amazement!

Wonderment!

Too good to be true.

This promise came due.

The world would never be the same

as the shepherds gladly proclaimed

this good news bringing great joy.

These first missionaries or envoys.

These shepherds paved the way

for the Good Shepherd that day.

The Good Shepherd who came to save the lost world,

to bring joy and peace, to ease our heavy loads.

* * * * *

God's Son is referred to as the Good Shepherd.

David referred to him as "my" Shepherd.

The Lord longs to be your personal Savior.

To give you rest from burdens that labor.

Take a minute to read Luke 2 (10-11)

and notice each word "you".

This good news is for you.

This Savior was born for you.

Right now, today, make God personal.

He's ready and willing, always available.

A simple prayer will connect you

to the One who came to save you.

The Lord is my shepherd...

Psalm 23:1

I am the good shepherd;

I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

John 10:14

May the God of peace...

that great Shepherd of the sheep,

equip you with everything good for doing his will,

and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

I bring YOU good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior

has been born to YOU;

he is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

Go and Tell

GO and TELL

Why were the shepherds chosen, do you suppose,

to be visited that night out in the cold

by a surprising angel of the Lord?

Why were the shepherds chosen, do you suppose?

We do know that the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem

to witness this wonder of which the angel had spoken -

bringing good tidings of great joy to all peoples

born that day in the city of David's humble stable.

That night the shepherds saw with their own eyes

a newborn baby in the manger lie

cooed too by the cattle's din

for there was no room in the inn.

Mary and Joseph hovered nearby

as they showed off their new little guy

to these shepherds who came from distant plain -

a Savior, Christ the Lord, who would one day reign.

After bearing witness to this sight

the shepherds overwhelmed with much delight

returned to the hillside to guard their flocks

after telling others what they had sought.

They had made known abroad

all they had seen and heard -

witnesses to the Savior's birth

when God's own Son was born on earth.

Is that why, do you suppose,

the shepherds were the ones God chose?

For they went and told

all they had seen and heard.

* * * * *

Christ the Savior is born

celebrated Christmas morn

for the shepherds went and told

and today we too have heard.

"Go and tell" is our mission

to spread the news of salvation

to every person

in every nation.

"Go and tell" good tidings of great joy

to all men and women, girls, and boys

for Christmas is more than toys.

It's a season for joy.

Joy that's given when we believe

that God sent His Son and we receive

this gift of salvation,

redemption, and pardon.

Joy in God's perfect gift to us, a Savior,

who loves us with unconditional favor.

"Go and tell" so everyone everywhere will know

the good tidings of great joy to all peoples.

"Go and tell"

one's heart swells

with God's love to everyone everywhere.

Today let someone you know God does care.

When they had seen him,

they spread the word concerning what had been told them

about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed

at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:17-18

Fear

FEAR

In the dark of the night

under stars shining bright,

quiet except for a bleat

from a sheep that couldn't sleep,

shepherds faithfully kept watch

for sheep tend to get lost

then wild animals prey

on lone sheep gone astray.

Suddenly without warning

one night long before morning

the glory of the Lord shone around,

brighter than the noonday sun shining down,

causing these humble shepherds to be overcome with fear personified -

afraid, frightened, panicked, petrified, terrified for their very lives.

Heart stopping, shaking in their sandals,

consuming fear gripped their innards.

Not only did the glory of the Lord shine around,

an angel of the Lord of heaven and earth came down,

who immediately spoke timeless words of comfort and cheer

to allay any hint of overwhelming worry or fear.

Words that even today calms our fears:

“Do not be afraid” or “Do not fear.”

Words that God's Word repeats over and over for fear

grips our fickle hearts depleting it of joy or cheer.

The angel declared words of hope to the shepherds that night.

Words of good news that brought great joy dispelling their fright.

These words of hope triumphed over any fear;

in fact, turned their fear into holy, reverent/awed fear

for these shepherds quickly hurried to Bethlehem

where they found exactly what the angel had told them.

The promised Messiah, Christ the Lord, God's Son,

the long-awaited Savior, had finally come!

That moment of quaking fear one starry night in the field

had now turned into holy, reverent/awed fear, though not stilled,

for these shepherds told everyone, giving testimony,

repeated down through the ages – the first Christmas story.

A holy, reverent/awed fear where they could not

not stop glorifying and praising God.

Those who heard their report were amazed!

Hope soared again. Prayers of thankfulness raised.

Just think, Christ was born at the time of the census

when the city was full of King David's descendants.

This wonderful, glorious news must have traveled quickly

from house to house, inn to inn, great joy added to the revelry

of seeing long-lost loved ones, friends and family, who had come

not knowing that God's promise to Isaiah would finally come

one miraculous night in an unpretentious stable, lives now guaranteed a new lease -

our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Those returning home continued to spread the good news

until this present-day civilized world also knew

that Jesus had come, He came to save

and through His love for us His life He gave.

This good news still reaches out to hurting human hearts today

as in the name of Jesus, God's peace is only a prayer away.

Yes, our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father,

our Prince of Peace

can turn our quaking fears into a holy, reverent fear that brings great joy

and abiding peace.

When fear comes

go to the One

who is waiting to hear from you.

Abide in Him each day anew.

The promised Immanuel, God with us,

will relieve our fears when we learn to trust.

Turn whatever it is that brings fear into holy, reverent fear

by glorifying and praising God each and every day of the year.

* * * * *

Fear, in the form of worry,

dispels any peace or calmness.

This fear doesn't bring God glory.

In fact, worry is doubting God's goodness.

Worry says: God isn't big enough,

as we worry out loud “I've had enough!”

giving credence to whatever troubles us

which ends up eroding our faith, hope, and trust.

There is a God-honoring fear.

It's holy, reverent fear.

It's being in awe of God Almighty.

Showing Him respect continually.

To esteem the Lord God is to love Him,

by obeying His commandments found within

God's Holy Word, the Bible.

Holy fear will enable.

Unholy fear disables

doubting it's possible.

Holy fear has hope in God

who sustains us when times are hard.

Christmas reminds us

that God is with us

as our personal, loving Immanuel

giving us hope through what seems impossible.

How deplorable, this holy, reverent fear so absent from today's society,

where OMG degrades the one true God's holiness every second continually,

where God and His Word, His good-for-us principles, are absent from the majority,

and noticeably absent from so-called "Christmas" celebrations and festivities.

Tell someone today about how the shepherds quaking fear

was forever changed into holy, reverent godly fear.

Perhaps they too will exchange daily worry

into a testimony for God's glory.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people."

Luke 2:9-10

Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,

and the baby who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him,

they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:16-18

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:20

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Abiding

ABIDING

Shepherds abiding

all night residing

on the hill

where moonlight spills,

when suddenly the night sky

is filled with angels who fly.

That dark sky was lit, we are told,

with the glory of the Lord.

The shepherds were afraid,

in fact terrified,

but the angel said, “do not fear”

and spoke these words loud and clear:

“I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you:

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

After hearing these joyful words

these surprised and stunned shepherds,

filled with awesome wonder,

hurried to find the manger.

We read they did not tarry.

In fact, they quickly hurried.

They wanted to know if what the angel said was true,

for it seemed to them to be too good to be true.

It was just as the Lord’s glorious heavenly messenger said -

as they did find the newborn baby in a manger bed!

Because it was true they told everyone what they had seen and heard

before they returned to the distant hillside to tend to their herds.

These abiding shepherds were insistent

when they affirmed this awesome event.

Is it because of their persistence the Christmas story is everlasting?

Yes, these abiding shepherds had a part in history that remains enduring

for today the Lord Jesus Christ’s, the Savior’s, birth

is celebrated throughout the whole universe.

The shepherds returned to their abiding

filled with much glorifying and praising

for all the things they had seen and heard

which was just as they had been told.

I'm sure they were never again the same

for after seeing the Christ (Messiah) they were changed.

These abiding shepherds saw and believed

and wanted everyone else to believe.

As they continued to abide in the fields

I'm certain they also remained filled

with all that the Lord Jesus Christ represents -

God's promised Savior, the first Christmas present.

* * * * *

Though the story is old

its truth is never old.

The truth is still the same today

as it was those many yesterdays.

The Savior has come.

Is he welcomed?

Jesus Christ can abide in your heart

if you ask Him to come in, just start

by praying “Dear Heavenly Father,

I realize I was born a sinner

but by your grace my sins can be washed away

so I ask your forgiveness right now, today.

I believe you died on the cross

to take my punishment. It cost

me nothing for you paid everything

so all my wrong doings to you I bring.

From now on for you I want to live.

My life, as it is, to you I give."

Such a simple prayer

the Lord will hear

and then abide in you

and help you each day anew

as you abide in Him.

He's waiting to come in.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:20

See that what you have heard from the beginning

remains (abides) in you.

If it does, you also will remain (abide)

in the Son and in the Father.

And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.

I John 2:24-25