October 9, 2018 – Luke 2:6-7

He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:6-7.

No matter how many times I hear or read this story, the wonder and the glory are always new.  God the Father, sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to lead and guide us.  God gave us the extraordinary Gift of Grace in that night.  Wouldn’t you want to travel from the fields to see this wonder the angels with the shepherds?  Although Jesus was born in a manager, His true home is Heaven.  

God trusted Joseph and Mary to care for His Son.  My favorite phrase of the poignant song, Mary Did You Know?  is…And when you kiss your little baby, You’ve kissed the face of God?  

Do we know, do we understand the depth of  love-gift came to earth that night? Jesus lived thirty-three years on earth, teaching, healing, and then this baby, in manhood was crucified on the cross, and rose from the dead. Yet, in a brief span of thirty-three years, Jesus changed the world through His Gift of Love for you and me. “Glory to God in the Highest!“

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:8-11, 14.