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 2:6-7 (NIV)

As the world knows, God sent down His Son to live as a flesh human being, to be born from a young virgin mother. And throughout every moment of His life, He would be the very essence of God’s love expressed on earth, from birth till death…and forever onward.

But when we look at his birth narrative, it’s so beautiful to see an Almighty Father, who created the universe…who created everything in it, and us…who would then humble Himself in sacrificial love to arrive as a helpless infant! And to not be born in a palace with earthly splendor and pageantry, but to be born in a manger.

In French, the word manger means “to eat.” The manger in the birth narrative, as we know, is a feeding container for animals…animals!. So we can be fairly certain it wasn’t sanitized. There was no antibacterial this or that to protect from infection. (And it probably smelled, too!) But there was God’s protection, and His plans.

Scripture tells us that there was no guest room for Joseph and Mary, which is why she wrapped the newborn Jesus in cloths and placed Him in the manger. But what an unlikely hero who would save the world! Stay tuned for what happens next!

Today’s soundtrack

“How Many Kings” by Downhere depicts it perfectly…how many kings would do what God did for us?

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:18

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? -Matthew 6:26

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! -Psalm 106:1

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! -2 Corinthians 9:15

At some point we’ve heard of the term “attitude of gratitude.” I actually didn’t hear this term till maybe 2005, but it really resonated with me. Even though I was and am a “glass half full” type of person, “attitude of gratitude” really reminded me to think about my mental approach when faced with less than favorable circumstances.

And once I was saved, the idea of counting your blessings meant so much more.

Too many blessings to count

God blesses us with the things we can see, and countless others in the background we don’t see. If you’ve ever tried to count all the blessings you can see, you won’t have enough time in the day. In fact, I often fall asleep at night trying to thank Him for all the things He does in my life!

The biggest blessing of all, however, is the final sacrifice made to wash away our sins and secure our salvation…a sacrificial love so unfathomably deep that a Father would give up His only Son for us, who cannot nor can ever earn or deserve it.

In light of this, there is really no trial or challenge we face that can be greater than the sacrifice made for us, which ensures our place in His kingdom. Suddenly, even the most harrowing disaster we can imagine is infinitesimally small by comparison to His love, which overwhelms all.

Today’s soundtrack

Downhere’s “How Many Kings” asks us: who else would sacrifice their only son for us?