December 2017
THE STABLE OF BETHLEHEM
Barnyards and animal stalls are smelly, dirty places. But in such a place God
chose to make his fleshly appearance on earth, the last place any of us would
have chosen.
A little baby laid in a manger among the animals and wrapped in cloth strips
is a far cry from the clean homes we know and enjoy. But is it not just like
God to us a stable to remind us of what is and what is not important?
This Christmas, visit the stable of Bethlehem and rediscover the wonder of
Emmanuel, God with us. If God could stoop to the level of a stable, surely
He stands ready to meet us in all the experiences of our lives.
chose to make his fleshly appearance on earth, the last place any of us would
have chosen.
A little baby laid in a manger among the animals and wrapped in cloth strips
is a far cry from the clean homes we know and enjoy. But is it not just like
God to us a stable to remind us of what is and what is not important?
This Christmas, visit the stable of Bethlehem and rediscover the wonder of
Emmanuel, God with us. If God could stoop to the level of a stable, surely
He stands ready to meet us in all the experiences of our lives.
AN UNUSUAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Imagine that you are attending a birthday party. Along with many other
guests, you arrive to find the banquet hall beautifully decorated. You dine
on a delicious meal and are entertained by talented musicians.
At the appropriate moment you and the other guests begin to present your
gifts, but not to the person who’s birthday you are celebrating. You simply
exchange gifts with one another, ignoring the honoree.
Is it possible this is really what happens during our Christmas season each
year? For too many of us, the celebration of our Lord’s birth has become
just one more occasion when we acknowledge him and indulge ourselves.
Make sure this doesn’t happen in your home during the Christmas season.
guests, you arrive to find the banquet hall beautifully decorated. You dine
on a delicious meal and are entertained by talented musicians.
At the appropriate moment you and the other guests begin to present your
gifts, but not to the person who’s birthday you are celebrating. You simply
exchange gifts with one another, ignoring the honoree.
Is it possible this is really what happens during our Christmas season each
year? For too many of us, the celebration of our Lord’s birth has become
just one more occasion when we acknowledge him and indulge ourselves.
Make sure this doesn’t happen in your home during the Christmas season.
