She Wrapped Him In Cloths

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:1-7

A simple beginning. That is what Christmas is about. Family, friends, grandchildren running around, attending Christmas Eve candlelight services, enjoying the heat from a fire place, and calling life-long friends. All of these are special gifts at Christmas.

God the Father, because of love, sent a gift of life to this world 2,000 years ago. Jesus was that baby in swaddling cloths who was laid in a manger. The shepherds knew He was an amazing gift because an angel announced His birth to them in the middle of the night while they were in their fields. They rushed to see Him and they couldn’t help but share the news of this Gift with others. Yet many rejected him, and He was crucified for our sins and buried. But He rose from the tomb and now offers salvation to all who receive Him.

Thank you God, for the Gift You gave – because of love.

God’s gift to the world is the life-giving Savior.

Our Daily Bread – December 9, 2012