She Laid Him in a Manger
She brought forth her firstborn Son … and laid Him in a manger (Luke 2:7).
These words grab my heart more than any others - She laid Him in a manger. Not a nice little wooden cradle like we see in a manger scene. But a rock hewn cattle trough in a cavelike stable where your sandals squashed in the dung as you walked and the nauseating smell of the animals filled your nostrils. She laid Him n a manger. Think of it; sickness, disease, death were likely possibilities.
How desperately alone from family and friends Mary must have felt when she realized the babe would be born far away form home. In her hour of pain, her bed was straw in a stable, and when the baby was born, she herself, with trembling fingers wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger.
No room was not just the message of Bethlehem but the them of Jesus' life. But those who find Him and make room in their hearts for Him understand the true message of Christmas.
CODE WORD: ACCESS
Had Jesus been born in a palace like most kings, few could have reach Him with out gaining permission. But now one, no matter how poor or how rich, has difficulty accessing the stable. What access is behind those beautiful and welcoming words – She laid Him in a Manger.
Lord thank You that anyone may come to You … and that includes me.
The Christmas Code by O.S. Hawkins
These words grab my heart more than any others - She laid Him in a manger. Not a nice little wooden cradle like we see in a manger scene. But a rock hewn cattle trough in a cavelike stable where your sandals squashed in the dung as you walked and the nauseating smell of the animals filled your nostrils. She laid Him n a manger. Think of it; sickness, disease, death were likely possibilities.
How desperately alone from family and friends Mary must have felt when she realized the babe would be born far away form home. In her hour of pain, her bed was straw in a stable, and when the baby was born, she herself, with trembling fingers wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger.
No room was not just the message of Bethlehem but the them of Jesus' life. But those who find Him and make room in their hearts for Him understand the true message of Christmas.
CODE WORD: ACCESS
Had Jesus been born in a palace like most kings, few could have reach Him with out gaining permission. But now one, no matter how poor or how rich, has difficulty accessing the stable. What access is behind those beautiful and welcoming words – She laid Him in a Manger.
Lord thank You that anyone may come to You … and that includes me.
The Christmas Code by O.S. Hawkins