The baby lies in the manger while Mary and Joseph lovingly watch him. We see the shepherds returned to their flocks. And, the Wisemen went home to their regular lives. Did the experience of the miraculous birth change them in any way? The Bible does not indicate what happened to them, so we cannot answer the question.
Christmas Change
But, we can ask ourselves a similar question. Has the birth of Jesus changed our lives? Or do we pack the manger and the decorations away without another thought of the baby until Easter? So what kind of changes does the Christmas baby want to see in each of us? In my blogs during December, we looked at the characteristics of Christmas. The Christmas story teaches us about faith, hope, and love. And, the baby Jesus wants to change us into a people with faith, hope, and love that we demonstrate to those around us.
Now What?
So now, what do I do? Jesus, the Christmas baby, invites us to faith in Him. His royal birth sets us free from the slavery of the Old Testament laws. Faith allows us to live out our lives in hope and with love. Baby Jesus teaches us to hope as we witness His life unfold in the pages of the Bible. And, everything Jesus does in His life shows us how to love our neighbors and our enemies.
Now what? Since our Christmas has passed, we can still look for the gift found in the lowly manger. God offers us the best present ever; a baby wrapped in the swaddling cloth of our salvation. Without the manger, there is no cross. So, this year, as you pack away the Nativity set, remember to unwrap the gift of salvation. A gift Jesus teaches us to use every day of our lives in our service to Him.
Prayer
My Lord and Savior. Thank you for the gift of Jesus that very first Christmas. May we continue to seek Him every day of the New Year. May the lessons of Christmas stay with us each day, and may we spread the joy of the season to everyone we meet. Amen.
Wishing you and your family a Blessed 2021. May the New Year bring us peace and joy and many Blessings.
Blessings,
Yvonne M. Morgan is an author, blogger, and speaker.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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