December 3 2015

December 3 2015 Greetings My Friend For me I find that looking at the manger means I need to remember the cross as well. In my mind’s eye I see the baby Jesus in His manger all wrapped up tight and in the background I also see the cross imposed into the scene. It is awesome to think about Jesus leaving heaven, entering our world the way we enter the world as a baby. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. We are conceived by our fathers and born of our mother’s in like manner. That tiny bundle is so sweet, innocent and there is a need to nurture the child, just as we do with our own children. Right away I see that our Lord experienced life just as we experience life from the very beginning. I marvel as I carry this picture in my mind’s eye forward. Jesus learned to walk, to talk, to feed Himself just as we do. At the cross I see our Lord knows pain as deeply as we know pain. One of His closest followers betrayed Him. He was ridiculed with words like “If you are God then save Yourself.” He had a whip taken to His body. The whip had objects of stone and bone tied to it which meant huge chunks of flesh were ripped from His body. A crown of thorns was shoved forcefully onto His head, a robe was placed on His tender back as He once more was ridiculed about saving himself. A staff was shoved into His hand and the soldiers found great fun in shoving Jesus, taunting Jesus and then taking the staff He was given they beat Jesus. I discern that a good portion of the beatings were on His face, His was disfigured which means to me that He was beaten so bad that His eyes and face were swollen beyond recognition. All of this takes place before the nails were pounded into His flesh and he hung on the cross. On the cross breathing was difficult at best. Our Lord had to ride up and down to get air into His lungs and I see Him in my thoughts that tender back being ripped up even more. Jesus dies on the cross. The disciples are scared and confused. They don’t know what to make of Jesus actually dying. They huddle together in confusion when on the third day Jesus rises from the dead. He appears to the women, to the disciples and many other believers. Thomas doubts until he sees Jesus and touches the holes in His flesh. Upon seeing and touching Jesus Thomas believes. As a believer in Jesus He is the hope I have, the desire to grow into His likeness as much as possible. I can’t do it alone but the Holy Spirit begins to teach me. My life is changing and growing and the world’s values leave me little by little. I learn new hope a real hope and that hope strengthens me. I for the first time in my life see the value of my life. Jesus is my hope. His resurrection is what gives me hope and a belief so strong that He is the Savior of the world. For me I have to celebrate Christmas and Easter together to understand this precious gift of eternal life. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet