Christmas has just passed and I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday. We are swiftly approaching the new year, and I would like to take a moment to reflect on exactly what God has done for us in this season. As I listened to numerous Christmas sermons being preached, one phrase dawned on me.
"God will take us through our lowest to bring us to our highest."
Look at where Jesus was born. Not the Ritz Carlton, or in a special delivery room of a maternity ward that has been blocked off because of his arrival, like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian's kids. Jesus was born in a manger. A manger is defined as a long open box for horses or cattle to eat from. This is something that is kept outside in a barn, or somewhere accessible for farm animals to get to for feeding. Many would not dare place their newborn in a feeding trough, but this is where baby Jesus laid.
Jesus laid in the lowest, so we could meet and be with the highest, our Lord. The story of Jesus' birth is one to remember and one that we should continuously give God thanks for. Mary was a young woman who was engaged to be married. All of a sudden, she is chosen to be Jesus' earthly mother. Imagine the embarrassment Mary went through while carrying the Son of God. I am sure many people in the town did not believe her story, because her own fiance did not believe her and was going to leave her until an angel appeared to him and told him what was going on. Mary had to face a tribulation in order to deliver the person that would one day deliver her. God will take us through our lowest to bring us to our highest.
Whatever you may be dealing with, count it as a joy. You may feel like you are at a low point in your life, but low points are only equipping you for you high points. Do not allow the world, and people in it to bring you down. God sent Jesus so that you would be saved and that your mistakes would be forgiven. Aren't you happy for the manger? If it was not for the manger, all of our souls would be lost, but God makes us new again through salvation. I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas holiday and you were blessed by this reading.
Let's get ready for 2018 by thanking God daily for the manger.
Xoxo,
Krispin