The angel went to her and said, \u201cGreetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Luke 1. 28<\/p>\n
Good Monday Morning to this week 51\/2018<\/p>\n
With Christmas a week away, discovering the real Christmas message requires looking beyond the all-too-familiar holiday experiences. \u201cWas there a moment, known only to God, when all the stars held their breath, when the galaxies paused in their dance for a fraction of a second, and all His love was poured into Mary as she fell into favor with God.<\/p>\n
Key statements we read again and again:<\/p>\n
\u201cGod with Us\u201d In Exodus, God appeared over us, in the cloud, as a pillar of fire, or on the mountain. But now, in a common feeding trough, He became Immanuel<\/p>\n
“Good News of Great Joy”\u00a0 The good news transcended politics, languages, and geography. A Savior is given to all mankind, making us the recipients of
\nGod\u2019s good will and favor.<\/p>\n
\u201cLying in a Manger\u201d We must marvel at the humble entrance of the Eternal, Almighty Creator, God, into our world. The Savior of mankind, found lying in a manger, a (feeding-trough), thus giving the shepherds a specific sign to guide them to the Christ-Child.<\/p>\n
In the world that God created, there was no room for Him at the inn or anywhere. To have \u201cGod with us,\u201d the God-Child entered the world in a place where few would even notice.<\/p>\n
God\u2019s return in Jesus to His creation wasn\u2019t \u201cgood news\u201d to everyone. No ruler was willing to abdicate their throne. No palace opened their gates to welcome the King of kings or the Prince of Peace.<\/p>\n
God, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and all-righteous, longed to touch everyone — the beggar, the prostitute, the leper — presenting Himself, a helpless infant, \u201clying in a manger.\u201d Common folks can never visit the palace of a newborn king, uninvited. But kings and princes can visit mangers.<\/p>\n
The Nativity scene isn\u2019t designed “only” to put us into a festive \u201choliday mood.\u201d It should stir us to the very depth of our souls. How will we respond to the Divine Designer of the universe who sacrificed everything to bring us back into a relationship with Him!<\/p>\n
And Mary said in Luke 1: 46-55 from The Message:<\/p>\n
I\u2019m bursting with God-news;
\nI\u2019m dancing the song of my Savior God.
\nGod took one good look at me, and look what happened\u2014
\nI\u2019m the most fortunate woman on earth!
\nWhat God has done for me will never be forgotten,
\nthe God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
\nHis mercy flows in wave after wave
\non those who are in awe before him.
\nHe bared his arm and showed his strength,
\nscattered the bluffing braggarts.
\nHe knocked tyrants off their high horses,
\npulled victims out of the mud.
\nThe starving poor sat down to a banquet;
\nthe callous rich were left out in the cold.
\nHe embraced his chosen child, Israel;
\nhe remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
\nIt\u2019s exactly what he promised,
\nbeginning with Abraham and right up to now.<\/p>\n
Wishing a great week in these waves of His mercy!<\/p>\n
Philemon<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The angel went to her and said, \u201cGreetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Luke 1. 28 Good Monday Morning to this week 51\/2018 With Christmas a week away, discovering the real Christmas message requires looking beyond the all-too-familiar holiday experiences. \u201cWas there a moment, known only to God, when all … <\/p>\n