It’s Christmas week.
In my family a lot of preparation goes into making Christmas memorable. We have family traditions that we adhere to and cherish and we do not neglect to sit and read the Christmas story every Christmas Eve. It’s always one of my favorite moments of the Christmas season to hear my Dad read from Luke and to hear the miraculous story of our Savior’s birth.
It never ceases to amaze me that the Savior of the world was born in a stable. I can’t help but wonder if the Wise Men were surprised. When they showed up with their Gold, Frankincense, and Mur were they shocked to see the King so humbly wrapped in cloth and lying in the manger where the animals ate? Surely they expected to find the King of Kings in a palace or at the very least in the nicest home or hotel in Bethlehem.
In the simplicity of His birth the Lord teaches us many poignant life lessons.
There are times in life when we expect much more than we receive and find ourselves dealing with disappointments. What do you do when following after Christ leads you to a manger moment, a disappointment or tragedy? As Christians sometimes we think if we aren’t in the palace or on the mountain top that God isn’t with us, but there are certainly times in life when you’re following after Christ and He leads you into a stable just as He led the Wise Men.
When you find yourself in the manger moments of life do what the Wise Men did, look for Jesus there, worship Him: give Him your best treasures or praise. When life gets disappointing or hard don’t give up. Keep following the Star because He is leading you to a lesson in those manger moments. He leads us to His saving Grace through the manger moments.