Awhile ago, my husband told me how when he was growing up, he built elaborate snow forts every winter. The entire backyard was dedicated to his fort-building and spy games. He would build his barricade on one side of the yard, and then dig a tunnel all the way from…
“For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger,” (Luke 2:11-12, Holy Bible, New King James).
- Shepherds keeping their flocks safe in the night received an unexpected visit from an angel who announced the arrival of Jesus. After being serenaded by a host of heavenly beings, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem (verse 16) where they “found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” The long-awaited Messiah had arrived! Shepherds recognized the Savior the angel described. They knew they had come to the right place.
- Prayer : Welcome Lord Jesus. I recognize You as my Savior. I’ve made room for You in my heart.
- Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn, (Luke 2:7, Holy Bible, King James Version).
- How we carol with passion the words of Away in a Manger and scatter clean hay in a mock nativity with little thought of how unhealthy, how cold, maybe even how dangerous, it was for Mary to give birth in those conditions. I’ve been rejected at hotel check-in far from home and heard that my room had been given to someone with a similar name or learned that the room wasn’t inhabitable. I’ve pushed for the hotel to find me a room nearby. Not Joseph and Mary. After the long journey from Nazareth, they lodged with the animals, grateful for a resting place. There in the least expected setting, Jesus was born.
- Prayer : Lord Jesus, I won’t reject You. I’ve made room for You in my heart. Amen.
- Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21, Holy Bible, New King James).
- Baby name selection is one of the first things young parents think of—maybe long before a baby is expected. Prefer Victorian for your baby girl? Maybe you’re searching for unusual names for identical twin boys that evoke courage and strength. Perhaps you want to include grandparent names. Mary had none of these options. An angel announced the name of her Holy-Spirit conceived child to Joseph. Jesus, a name above all names, selected in heaven, received on earth, etched into eternity. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12, Holy Bible, New King James).
- Prayer : Lord Jesus, Your name continues to bring salvation to a needy world. Amen.
- Devotion by Violet Carr Moore