AWAY IN A MANGER

I love Christmas and the Christmas story. Jesus—the ultimate gift—what a thing to celebrate and rejoice in. Some families even celebrate Christmas by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, while sharing a birthday cake as well. I like that!

Birthdays should always be made special—no matter who you are celebrating. And even though we may not always celebrate on the exact anniversary date, the focus on that individual and making them feel special is the important thing, right? And who doesn’t like a good party? Well, we all get to celebrate in this party…woo-hoo!

Can you imagine the intensity of the original manger scene with the baby Jesus? I remember the incredible feeling when Tracy and I first held our children (Eric & Alisha) in our arms. Wow…priceless! But think of the amazing moment it must have been for Mary and Joseph to cradle the Savior of the World in their arms? That, I cannot imagine.

One of the primary differences that Christianity has with all other World religions is the fact that Jesus Christ invites people of all races, genders, and backgrounds—to know Him and have a relationship with Him—personally. Sadly though, millions of people say that they know Jesus, while yet they actually just know about Him.

I remember a young man who had grown-up going to a main-line denominational church but hadn’t given his heart to the Lord until his early twenties. So, his relationship with the Lord Jesus was relatively new.  On several occasions while praying in a group setting, he would always start out his prayer with, “Dear baby Jesus….”  As much as I wanted to, I didn’t pull him aside and tell him that it was not a proper way to address the Lord, due the fact that Jesus is no longer the baby who was laying in the manger.

I could have brought-up the facts that Jesus walked this earth as a full-grown man on a mission, and successfully completed that mission as He died on the cross for our sins. That he arose from the grave and now sits on the throne as our intercessor, and that he is now Lord, Savior, and King—not baby Jesus! Sure, I could have gone on and on, but I realized that his perception of who Jesus was still had derivatives from his childhood memories. No, thankfully I didn’t say anything because I knew that as his walk with the Lord Jesus developed, Jesus would no longer remain a baby to him. I’m very happy to say that his relationship with Jesus did indeed quickly mature, and his perception of who Jesus is now has no limits.

God bless you this Christmas season friends. May you embrace the love of the Father and enjoy your celebrations with those you love. And may you too fully understand that your relationship with Jesus has no limits.

Merry Christmas!

Blessed by the Best,

Mark & Tracy