-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine --
http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
December 26, 2007
/--- Turn Today's Verse into a Poster ---------------------\
Create beautiful 18"x24" posters from any Bible verse!
You can add your own personal note, making them great for
gifts or awards. See the selection:
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/50/
-----------------/
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Away in a Manger, by Tim Archer
Away in a manger
For many of us, that's where Jesus is. A cute little baby lying in a
manger. He's smiling and cooing and generally looking harmless. He
fills us with good feelings, as healthy, beautiful babies do. We never
hear a whimper, never a cry. He's the perfect baby.
Away in a manger
It's convenient to leave Jesus there. A harmless baby, making no
demands on us. We don't even have to change His diaper. We can go about
our lives without thinking of Him, then return to the stable to find
that happy, smiling baby.
Away in a manger
Part of a nativity scene to be pulled out once a year. Almost lost
among the sheep and cattle and shepherds and wise men and angels. A
tiny piece in a larger set, all wrapped up in tissue paper and stored
away at season's end. Placed in a box next to Santa and his elves,
right under the Christmas lights and tree decorations.
Away in a manger
Away from me. Away from the real world. Tucked away, stored away. That
tiny baby is part of another time, another reality. A figure from
history, maybe, or maybe just a part of a legend that men have passed
on for hundreds of years. Either way, that tiny baby just doesn't seem
to fit in the harsh realities of the twenty-first century.
Away in a manger
If that's your view of Jesus, I want to encourage you to take a look at
what the Bible says about Him. His birth is a tiny part of the story of
Jesus, so small in fact that it goes unmentioned in two of the four
gospels. That manger is overshadowed in the Bible by a cross, dwarfed
by the reality of an empty tomb. Jesus didn't come to earth to be a
cute baby. He came to give His life on a cross. His whole life centered
around that. Having given His life, He was placed in a tomb, laid on a
stone slab not unlike the stone manger where He was first placed. But,
just as He left that manger years before, He left the tomb behind as
well, coming forth as the conquering Lord of Lords, defeating death in
one mighty act of triumph.
Away in a manger? Is that where Jesus is for you?
Away in a manger? Hardly. The risen Lord sits at the right hand of God,
offering life and victory to all who would follow Him. Now that
December 25 has passed, go ahead and pack away that little baby boy.
But don't think that you've left the Lord Jesus lying in a manger. He's
left it far behind.
The risen Lord offers life and peace and hope to all who would come to
Him. Contact me at tim@hopeforlife.org to know more. Or visit our blog
at www.hopeforlife.org/blog to discuss more.
(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing,
retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.
Contact us at info@hopeforlife.org)
Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come!"
This new life is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If
you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you,
sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life,
whatever you've done, you can begin again.
You may also contact us at info@hopeforlife.org if you have questions
about becoming a new creation.
---------
(c) 2007 Herald of Truth
RELATED LINKS:
* Keeping the Christ in Christmas
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071128_Christmas.html
* Hope for Life
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071114_hfl.html
* Life's Undo Button
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200703/20070314_undobutton.html
* HopeForLife
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071226_manger.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
SEE THE MORNING, by Chris Tomlin
Award-winning artist Tomlin offers a whole new set of soul-inspiring
easy-to-sing songs about God's faithfulness.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/
\/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
