The Way in a Manger

~~ Pic #23 on our 25 Days of CHRISTmas ~~

Can you believe we only have two pics left in the '08 installment?

So today's pic is a sweatshirt, because after all we are suppose to show pics of CHRISTmas viewed through our eyes and this one says it all to me.

He is "The Way" can I get an Amen?!!

I found this sweatshirt in Mardels a few years ago, and if I'm thinking correctly, it was only $5.00. What a deal!! And I wear it a lot during this season and sometimes even beyond. I love it so.

I am currently working my way through BMoore's study on John and will begin her study on David next week, but I wanted to share something with you that stuck out to me to in light of this season.

"John remained nearby Jesus, whether his Leader was on the mount of transfiguration or in the depths of Gethsemane's suffering. John affectionately leaned on Him during the feast but also followed Him in to the courts for the trials. John clung to Jesus when He raised the dead, and he clung to Jesus when He became the dead.

John stood nearby when human reason implied that his faithful Leader's mission had failed. He could not have comprehended that the plan of the ages was going perfectly. Yet he remained. He who looked on a face that 'shone like the sun' (Matt. 17:2) was willing to look on a face that was bloody and spit upon. He stayed nearby during Christ's brightest hour and His darkest hour. The young disciple knew Jesus in the extreme. John was willing to look when others covered their eyes. And he beheld Him. How can we behold what we are unwilling to see?"

At this time of the year, and really everyday of every year we should be beholding Him. But especially this time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, to remember what He went on to do is so very important to us as believer's. We must not lose sight. John was willing to look when others covered their eyes. Am I? I must ask myself the hard questions and answer honestly to grow in Him.

Jacquie had another amazing post yesterday. You really should check it out. The song this time that she features is Mary Did You Know? Did she know? Perhaps not fully at His birth. But by the time that Jesus is on the cross and He tells John to behold his mother and Mary to behold her son, I believe that she most certainly knew. He was Immanuel, God with us indeed.

One of the hardest scenes for me to watch as a mother in the Passion of the Christ, is when Jesus is walking the Via Delarosa and Mary sees him from the alley. As a mother you never want your child to suffer, but suffering to such a degree would rip your heart. This woman who had given birth 33 years earlier in a stable with hay and animals - This woman who had watched this child grow and do miracles and grow up - This woman who had prayed for her baby and loved Him more than she thought was possible - This woman was now watching the child she birthed die the most unimanigible death.

I fear in our comfy 21st century homes we lose sight of what Jesus' birth really meant, really means. He was not just a way in a manger, but He was THE Way in a Manger. And I love Him so.

Thank you Jesus for the incredible sacrifice you made. To leave Glory and come here to be born in a stable, to live perfectly, and die such a horrendous death, and then to rise again on the third day defeating death, hell and the grave . . . Oh What a Savior!! Thank you Jesus from the bottom of my heart. I love you, Amen

Merry CHRISTmas indeed!!!