Three stuffed and soft Kings sit on my table surrounding baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and a little white sheep with a bell around its neck. My grand babies play with this manger menagerie and we talk about Jesus and how we celebrate His birthday at Christmas time. Even my grand-dog Shamus got into the celebration this year by quietly picking up the little sheep in his massive Great Dane jaws and gently bringing it to my son one morning.
Jesus is the greatest Gift ever given to humankind. He came humbly, as a human baby boy, born to a common girl who was a ‘nobody’ in the world’s eyes. Her incredible faith in God was extraordinarily powerful. The choice she made cemented her role in the greatest human rescue of all of eternity.
God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin….Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: “Good morning (Mary)! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you…” “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.” Luke 1: 26-30 paraphrased
I find it fascinating that the One Who created all there is, seen and unseen, would stoop so low and choose to be born in the specific family and circumstances that He did. I get tears in my eyes when I think about the kind of Love that propelled God to come to us and build a bridge through His Son so that we would have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. I cannot wrap my head around that kind of Love. A Love that never ends. A perfect Love that casts out all fear! 1 John 4:18
Jesus, an early Happy Birthday to You! Thank You for coming to earth in such a humble fashion. Your servant-leadership example is something I want to continue imitating as I grow to be more like You! Thank you for helping me find a manger scene that’s squishy and cuddly for kids and dogs. May we be greatly blessed this season as we sit quietly before You and worship You. Amen.