And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room (available) for them.  Luke 2:6-7

The first line of the Christmas song "Away In A Manger" states, "Away in a manger, no crib for His bed;  the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head."

Can you imagine that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born in a manger, in a place with not so much as a bed to lie on.  The humble beginnings of our Lord's life remind us that we are to be humble and thankful for what we have been blessed with.

The wonder of Christmas is reflected so poetically in the story of Jesus' birth that we cannot help but find ourselves grateful for all that was given to us on that day.

The song referred to earlier describes Jesus the baby, lying awake on the hay, yet this was no ordinary child, for He was the Savior of men!  The last verse of the song asks the Lord to stay beside us, to lead us, and to eventually take us to Heaven to live with Him.  This line is about surrender, surrender to Him who has promised to stay beside us and lead us and never forsake us and it is about promise - He came the first time as prophesied and He will come again as prophesied.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you that You have promised to stay beside me as I make my way through this earthly life and I am assured of an eternal home with You in heaven.  AMEN.

Adapted from:  https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bd72a3c51f4d49caf809145/t/5de47844b93cc92d39ccf977/1575254087648/Carols_-_Devotional.pdf

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:  for he shall save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

Christmas is a rescue.  God coming to rescue us.  It is an act of humility, love and sacrifice unparalleled in the history of the world.  But the act does not take place in a vacuum.  The act is not primarily to show the greatness of God.  It does show his greatness.  But the act has a fierce intention to it, the whole drama is fiercely intentional, and the object of this act is you and me;  the purpose is our rescue and restoration, to bring us back to God.

Christmas is the most stunning rescue story of all time.  Under cover of night, in a remote village south of Jerusalem, in a world held captive by the dark prince, God comes to earth as a human being, a little baby.  He invades the human race in order to rescue the human race.  Satan is furious, he lashes out desperately to try and stop the invasion.  The angels go to war.  But God cannot be stopped.  He will ransom and restore His beloved.  The beauty of the act cannot be adequately expressed.

And what are we to think of the ones God would go to such lengths to rescue, and at such a price?  How precious they must be.  They must be worth a great deal to Him.  Inestimable worth.  And that is why the soul felt its worth.  At least, that ought to be the effect of Christmas upon us.

Adapted from:  https://wildatheart.org/blogs/john/christmas-devotion

 

It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment.  As moments go, that one appeared no different than any other.  If you could somehow pick it up off the timeline and examine it, it would look exactly like the ones that have passed while you have read these words. It came and it went.  It was preceded and succeeded by others just like it.  It was one of the countless moments that have marked time since eternity became measurable.  But in reality, that particular moment was like none other. For through that segment of time a spectacular thing occurred.  God became a man.  While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived.  Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.  The Omnipotent, in one instant, made Himself breakable.  He who had been spirit became pierceable.  He who was larger than the universe became an embryo.  And He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.  He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter.  In a moment, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us - God with us.
 

Adapted from:  https://maxlucado.com/it-began-in-a-manger-christmas/