Toronto UBF Bible Study : A BABY IN A MANGER

Bible Study Materials

A BABY IN A MANGER

by 12/04/2009

Question

1. Read verses 1-3. Who was Caesar Augustus? What did he do? How extensive was his power? 2. Read verses 4-6. Who was Joseph and what was his human condition? What did he do? How was God working in his life? 3. Read verse 7. What did Mary do? Why was the baby placed in a manger? Think about the contrast between the baby in a manger and Caesar on the throne.

Attachment

Question

A BABY IN A MANGER Luke 2:1-7 Key Verse: 2:7 1. Read verses 1-3. To what does â€œthose daysâ€ refer? Who is Caesar Augustus? What does â€œAugustusâ€ mean and why was he named so? What did he do at this time? How powerful was he? 2. Read verses 4-6. Who was Joseph? What was his human situation and what did he do? What happened to him while he was in Bethlehem? What kind of time is mentioned here? 3. Read verse 7. Where did Mary place her son? Why? Think of Jesusâ€™ birth in such a place from Godâ€™s viewpoint? What does this tell us about God and the Son?

Attachment

Message

Merry Christmas! I wish all of you a very merry Christmas! How can we have a merry Christmas? Can we have a merry Christmas by receiving lots of gifts? Maybe so. I hope all of you receive all the gifts on your wish-list at this Christmas. Also, I hope you give more to your beloved ones. Yet, we should not miss Godâ€™s Christmas gift. Otherwise our Christmas becomes Christmas without Christ, which is no Christmas at all. It is like your birthday party without you. Godâ€™s Christmas gift is a baby in a manger. What an odd gift! This time, letâ€™s open Godâ€™s gift box together so that we may come to know the wonder of this gift and have a very merry Christmas with Christ this year! Look at verse 1. â€œIn those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire of Roman world.â€ The historical background of this passage is the times of the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus. Caesar Augustus was known as Octavianus. He was a grand nephew of Julius Caesar. He defeated Antonius at Actium Battle in BC 31, and sat on the throne of Roman empire. He ruled from 27 BC to AD 14. â€œAugustusâ€ means â€exaltedâ€ or â€œrevered.â€ This word was reserved only for gods. But the title was conferred on him by the Roman Senate in 27 BC. He was the first and one of the greatest Roman emperors. He issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire of Roman world. At his command, the entire Roman world moved as computer screen is controlled by one mouth click. At his decree for a census everyone went to his own town to register regardless of human conditions and distance and cost. Look at verse 4. â€œSo Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.â€ It was almost a 3 day journey on foot. He went there to register with Mary, his fiancÃ©e, who was fully pregnant. Joseph had no choice. While travelling Joseph most probably hoped that Mary would endure and deliver the baby after coming back home in Nazareth. Yet, while they were there the time came for the baby to be born.â€ It was not Josephâ€™s time, the time Joseph wanted. It was Godâ€™s time, the time God had planned from several thousand years ago. It was the very time for the baby to be born of virgin Mary in Bethlehem, the very town God had promised. Look at verse 7. â€œand she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.â€ From the human point of view, the baby was born in a stable and placed in a manger because of Caesarâ€™s decree and unmerciful social atmosphere. And it seemed to happen by chance or at random, and Joseph and Mary were helpless victims of the situation. Yet, it was not so. Indeed, God was in control to fulfill his promise of Micah 5:2, which says, â€œBut you, Bethlehem Ephrathaâ€¦out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.â€ God used Caesarâ€™s decree to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, the very place of his promise. Caesar Augustus was sitting on the throne of the Roman Empire, but our God is sitting on the throne of the Heavenly Kingdom. Our God is the Sovereign Ruler over all powers and over the human history. He fulfills his purpose at his very time and at his very place according to his promise. Letâ€™s read verse 7 again. â€œand she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.â€ This shows vividly how Jesus Christ was born. He was born in an animalâ€™s stable and wrapped in cloths and placed in a manger. â€œMangerâ€ may sound poetic. But what is a manger? A manger is a feeding box for cows. It is dirty and stinky. Flies buzz around. Many would feel it is too disgusting to touch. Why did Jesus have to be born in such a place? The Sovereign God who is in control could have sent his Son in the most glorious way like the son of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus! Or at least God could have provided a safe and clean hospital room for his son to be born. However, God chose to send his Son to be born in a stable of animal and laid in a manger, in a most pitiful and lowliest way. Why, then, did God choose such a way to send his Son into the world? We may find Christmas miracle in the answer to who the Baby in a manger really is to us. First, the Baby Jesus in a manger is our friend. At that time it was almost impossible for ordinary people to approach Caesar Augustus on the throne. In the same way, big guys in our society are mostly not approachable, for many reasons, including security matter. As you may know, the US Secret Service is investigating how one couple could approach the President Obama as uninvited guests to the Whitehouse state dinner. Much more than that our God is holy holy holy. 1 Timothy 6:16 says, â€œâ€œGodâ€¦who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable lightâ€¦â€ Israel people couldnâ€™t approach even the tent when the glory of God was present. Jesus is in very nature God (Phil 2:6-8). But by being born as a baby in a manger, the totally approachable God became most approachable to all kinds of people. No one is too poor or too lowly to approach him. He became approachable in order to befriend us. The word â€œfriendâ€ is a beautiful word. A dictionary definition of friend is â€œsomebody emotionally close; somebody who trusts and is fond of another.â€ We all want a friend. We all need a friend. The population of the world has increased more and more up to 6.8 billion. At same time technology has advanced more and more. So now the whole world became a small village, a global village. As a result we should have more friends. However, it seems that people have become more and more lonely in the midst of the crowds and in the midst of technology. The other day I went out to the campus to talk to students and make friends with them. But it was not easy for me to find one available to have conversation. Most of them were either listening to music on their i-pod, talking on a cell phone or surfing websites. Indeed many people these days live most of their time in a cyber space, playing games, or watching movies on internet hours and hours alone. They even make cyber friends and cyber date. It seems that they donâ€™t need friends anymore. It seems that they enjoy to be loners. However, we all need someone who understands us, shares our joy and sorrow together, and supports us at time of suffering. We all need a true friend. Jesus was born as a tiny baby in a lowly manger in order to be friend to all kind of lonely people. There was a very lonely man. He became lonely in the pursuit of his selfish dream in the world. He studied hard and got a high paying secure job. He could afford a luxurious condo and fancy sports car. But he had to live all by himself: jogging by himself, working by himself, eating lunch by himself, driving the fancy car by himself, and going out to drink by himself. No one wanted to be associated with him, much less befriending him. Outwardly he looked okay, but inwardly he was crying in his loneliness. Who on earth could hear his inner cry? Amazingly there was someone who could hear it. His name was Wonderful. One day Jesus called him, saying, â€œFollow me.â€ It was life-changing word to the man, a loner. The Son of God Jesus accepted him as he was and made him one of his best friends. Through Jesus humble friendship, he was changed and emulated Jesus. And he himself became a good friend to many of early Christians. He is St. Matthew. The baby Jesus in a manger is approachable and he welcomes each of us as his friend. A friend indeed is a friend in need. The baby Jesus in a manger is our friend in need whom we can approach with all our problems. The world is full of problems; global climate change, terrorist problem, H1N1 pandemic problem, recession and unemployment problem, etc and etc. All people have problems. Is there anybody here who has no problem whatsoever? Please raise your hand, if you have no problem at all. There is no one who has no problem. Some have school study problem, others health problem, still others job problem, marriage problem, visa problem, direction problem, relationship problem, children problem, or parent problem, etc and etc. Our life is a series of problems, with a fresh new problem appearing after one being solved. What do we do with our problems? Mostly, we try to solve our problems with our own strength. When we cannot, we look around for help. When we canâ€™t find any, we become anxious and helpless. In our helplessness, some sleep a lot, while others eat a lot or drink a lot. But here is good news: there is solution with God who is almighty. The Almighty God came to this world as a baby in a manger. He came to us in a such a humble way that we may approach him with all our problems. He is humble enough to listen to us again and again. He is humble enough to understand all our problems and all our helplessness again and again. He is gentle in heart, full of understanding and slow to anger. Not only understanding us, but also answers our prayers and solves our problems. He is indeed our friend in need. There was a girl. She was about 10 years old. She was lonely and sad because she had no siblings. Her mom was getting old. Then she approached Jesus and began to pray to grant her a younger brother or sister. She prayed day after day, encouraging her parents to keep trying. Do you know what happened? Jesus heard her prayers, and granted her request with bonus that she has a lovely baby brother, and one more sibling is on the way. Jesus heard such a childâ€™s prayer. He never rejects anyone who approaches him and he never despise anyone who confides with him. And no problem is too big or too small for Jesus to solve it. Thank the Baby Jesus in a manger who is our approachable God, our true friend, friend in need. Second, the Baby Jesus in a manger is our Saviour. Verse 7 says, â€œâ€¦Sheâ€¦placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.â€ It shows that he came to this world, but the world rejected him. There was no room for him in the world; his birth place was found in the animalâ€™s world, away in a manger. He was rejected from the time of birth. His humbleness and rejection reached the climax when he was crucified as a criminal. His life was consistent from the manger to the cross. He was born in a manger as a baby to be approachable and befriend all in this world. Then he died on the cross as the Lamb of God to save all perishing mankind from their sins and bring them back to the kingdom of God, where we can be forever with him seeing each other face to face. We easily make mistakes and commit sins. But it is not easy for anyone to take responsibility for his or her own sins and mistakes. Many people blame others. And it is much harder to take responsibility for someone elseâ€™s mistakes and sins. It requires ultimate humbleness and sacrifice. There were two brothers. The older one was compassionate and kind-hearted; the younger, troublesome and violent. The older advised his younger brother to disregard his bad habits and prayed for him. However, all his effort was in vain and his younger brother fell deeper and deeper into the pit of self-destruction. Then one day, the younger brother suddenly ran into his brotherâ€™s room with blood-stained clothes and cried, â€œPlease, my brother, help me. The police are chasing me, because Iâ€™ve committed a terrible crime.â€ The older brother thought about the situation and said, â€œLetâ€™s exchange our clothes.â€ As soon as they did so, the police dashed into the room and arrested the brother who was wearing the blood-stained clothes, without any hesitation. Later on the arrested older brother received the death sentence. When the younger brother found this out, he begged for the suspension of his brotherâ€™s execution. But it was too late. As time passed, the younger brother changed into a new man because of his brotherâ€™s sacrificial love. The older brother reflects image of Jesus. He died in our place as the Lamb of God. John the Baptist cried out to describe this Jesus, â€œLook, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!â€ One man grew up in a poor family. His father was a drunkard. When the father came home drunk, he beat the son. It went on and on. The man was so sorrowful for his poor family and angry towards his father. In despair he lived according to his sinful desire. He blamed his poor family and alcoholic father for his ruined life. Then God led him to Bible study and in the first year of his university he attended UBF SBC. There he heard the message of Jesusâ€™ cross, â€œFather, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.â€ He realized that Jesus took up all his sins for the grace of forgiveness and he accepted Jesusâ€™ sacrificial death for him. Since then his life was changed. When his father was dying with a terminal cancer, he could not just watch him because of eternal punishment awaiting his father. He felt responsible for his fatherâ€™s eternal destiny. He preached the gospel of salvation to his father and prayed earnestly for his fatherâ€™s salvation. After he prayed, he could sense Godâ€™s presence. His father accepted Jesus Christ and died in peace. The man became so thankful to God and became a missionary to Canada. He prays to be a responsible missionary and shepherd for perishing souls in Canada, beginning with U of T students. May God bless him and guide him continuously! Third, the Baby in a manger is Godâ€™s love. His humble birth in a manger and responsible atoning death on the cross were all initiated by Godâ€™s love. All these were expressions of his love. John 3:16 â€œGod so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.â€ There is a saying, â€œYou can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.â€ My wife has several uncles. One of them had 5 sons, and another 5 daughters. So her grandfather suggested that they exchange one of their children, that the one who had 5 sons might give one son to the one who had 5 daughters, and vice versa. They reluctantly did so, to obey their father, but as soon as he passed away, they cancelled the promise and had their own son and daughter back. It wasnâ€™t easy even to exchange one of five children as adopted child to his own brotherâ€™s family. But God loved us so much so that he gave us his one and only Son as a Baby in a manger. God loved us so much so that he gave up his Son on the cross to take away all our sins and die in our places. All thing changes including computer software year by year. But the love of God never changes. Jesus is the undeniable and unchanging expression of Godâ€™s love. It is written in the Bible, â€œCan a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my handsâ€¦â€ (Isa 49:15,16). Some students write important things on their right or left palms not to forget them. They do so because of forgetfulness. But God is not forgetful like human beings. So he does not need to write or much less engrave something on his palm. Yet, he does it, even engraving on his both palms for our sake so that we may not forget that he does not forget us. Rather, he remembers us and cares for us like an apple of his eye, because of his love. M. Timothy Park has been ill with leukemia cancer for the last four months. His struggle to go through chemotherapy was more than one could describe. In his pain he even longed for the kingdom of God. But our loving God protected him and cared for him as an apple of his eye, and has been healing him miraculously. He is victorious because of Godâ€™s love. We have great confidence in spite of ourselves that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. We may start the new year with great confidence through Godâ€™s love for us in the Baby Jesus in a manger, and have many victories for his glory. Furthermore, we may be apostles of Godâ€™s love our family, campus, workplace, so that Toronto be a holy city and Canada, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. At this Christmas we thank and praise God for sending his Son to be born as a baby in a manger. The Baby Jesus in a manger is our friend, our Saviour and Godâ€™s love. The baby in a manger is the Christmas gift from above for everyone who receives. May we welcome him into our hearts, worship him and live with him in the new year and forevermore.

Attachment

Message

In chapter 1 Luke described how Jesus was conceived. He was conceived through the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, who was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph. In todayâ€™s passage, chapter 2, Luke describes how he was born. Because of Caesarâ€™s census decree, Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem and the baby Jesus was born there. It was not desirable that the baby was born at the time of traveling. And the baby was laid in a manger. It was an unexpected thing. Humanly speaking, the birth of the baby Jesus seems to be a very sorrowful story and a tragic accident. But spiritually speaking, it is a beautiful story forever as an act of God because it reveals Godâ€™s profound sovereignty in history and his amazing humbleness. May we newly learn who our God is and how to have a meaningful Christmas. First, he is the sovereign Ruler of history. Look at verse 1. â€œIn those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.â€ The story of Jesusâ€™ birth is related to Caesar Augustus. Who was Caesar Augustus? His original name was Gaius Octavius. He was known in the English-speaking world as Otavian and the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar. After the assassination of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.), Octavian learned that in Caesarâ€™s will he had been named Caesarâ€™s son and heir. He then changed his name to Gaius Julius Caesar. In the naval battle of Actium (31 B.C.) he defeated Antony and climbed to power. In the year 27 B.C. the Roman Senate conferred on him the title Augustus. From then on he was known as Caesar Augustus. He was the first Emperor and ruled the Roman Empire until A.D. 14. â€œIn those daysâ€ in verse 1 can refer to the time of Herodâ€™s ruling in Judea. Caesar Augustus was regarded as Benevolent Caesar, while Herod, Malevolent Herod. Yet, clearly he was a heathen ruler. As the emperor he was ruling the entire Roman world. He was despotic and his command, inexorable. At his command everyone moved and went to his own town to register. Verse 2 says, â€œ(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) At that time Judea was part of the province of Syria. Quirinius, with brief interruptions, functioned as military governor or commander-in-chief in Syria from 12 B.C. to A.D. 16. It was known that in the Roman world censuses were taken every fourteen years. There are actual documents from every census taken from A.D. 20 until A.D. 270. In Acts 5:37 is written an event related to the census done in A.D. 6. Then a census must have been taken in 8 B.C. It is believed that Jesus was most probably born in 5 B.C. (Jn 2:23), definitely before the death of Herod, that was in 4 B.C. The most probable explanation was that with Caesarâ€™s permission King Herod postponed the census because of the Jewsâ€™ dislike of census and his inability to carry it out due to his moral and mental deterioration. When he could not delay it any longer, the census had to be taken around the year 5 B.C. We see how impeccable Lukeâ€™s description was as a historian. They say that nothing he says has been disproven. It is good to believe certain things in the Scriptures after confirmation from outside sources. But it is more desirable that one believes in the firm conviction that the words of the Bible are true as written words of God. Now the focus of the story shifts from Caesar Augustus and Quirinius onto a very ordinary couple, Joseph and Mary. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Here we can imagine how difficult and dangerous the journey was. We donâ€™t know how Joseph and Mary bore such a troublesome and painful journey. The passage does not say anything about this. They must have borne all the incomprehensive sufferings and pain silently, believing in Godâ€™s absolute goodness. What happened then? Look at verses 6 and 7a. â€œWhile they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.â€ In this way the baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the place the prophet Micah had prophesied as the birth place of the Messiah: â€œBut you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times (or from days of eternity)â€ (Micah 5:2). Godâ€™s promise of Micah 5:2, which was prophesied about seven hundred years earlier, had to be fulfilled at the time of Jesusâ€™ birth. Statistically speaking, at that time the possibility for the baby Jesus to be born in Bethlehem in Judea was almost zero, if one considered the life conditions of Joseph and Mary. But God moved the whole world to full his promise concerning the Messiahâ€™s birthplace. God used the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus for the fulfillment of this prophecy. Undoubtedly the Emperor did not known this at all. He issued the decree of a census just for taxation purpose. In this way God revealed himself as the sovereign Ruler of history at the time of Jesusâ€™ birth. He is not bound by anything or anyone or world situation but by his promise only. He acts and moves according to his promises. Even if there is zero possibility of the fulfillment of his promise, he accomplishes it with 100% assurance. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, so no one knows where history is going. However, we can believe that history is in Godâ€™s hand and it moves according to his promises and prophecies. There was the G20 Summit in November. The leaders of G20 try to work together to fight the global recession and secure a more prosperous future for all countries. Yet, we know that the future of the world is not in their hands but Godâ€™s. Because of this we can believe that ultimately history is heading toward the second coming of Jesus Christ, which is the last promise of God to be fulfilled. Godâ€™s promise is to be fulfilled not only in world history but also in the lives of individuals. God fulfills his promise given to each individual regardless of the personâ€™s human conditions. God fulfilled his promise to Abraham, â€œYou will be the father of many nationsâ€ (Ge 17:4) and to Sarah, â€œShe will be the mother of nationsâ€ (Ge 17:16) by first giving them a son in their old age. He also fulfilled his promise to Joseph, the promise given through Josephâ€™s dreams. People did all kinds of wicked things to him, but God accomplished his promise in his life by letting him rise from slave market and dungeon to the highest position in Egypt. God fulfilled his promise to Jesusâ€™ disciples, â€œCome, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.â€ Those who have accepted Godâ€™s promise personally and keep their faith in the words of his promise are truly blessed. God will not fail in fulfilling the promises they believed. Even oneâ€™s human condition with zero possibility of fulfilling Godâ€™s promise cannot stop Godâ€™s doing for the fulfillment of his promise. He is the sovereign Ruler in history and in the life of each individual. Second, he is a humble God. Look at verse 7. â€and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.â€ The baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem according to Godâ€™s promise. It was not however the end of the story of Jesusâ€™ birth. The description was not, â€œand she gave birth to her firstborn, a son, and so the baby was born in Bethlehem.â€ The story went further in detail. It says, â€œShe wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.â€ The fulfillment of Godâ€™s prophecy concerning the birth place of the Messiah was truly amazing and magnificent. The Messiah Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But it was not glorious at all that â€œshe wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a mangerâ€. Rather, it was sorrowful and pathetic. Nonetheless to say, it would be heart-breaking to any parents. Why had the baby to be placed and laid in a manger? The author comments, â€œâ€¦because there was no room for them in the inn.â€ This was a factual description. It was because of socio-economic condition of that time. Ordinary peopleâ€™s lives were hard under the rule of Roman Emperor and King Herod, and they had to take care of themselves. As a result, no room could be offered to the newborn baby and his mother. Although the author wrote the clear reason based on the fact, we can perceive that the deeper reason is hidden in it. Look at verse 7 again: â€œand she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a mangerâ€¦â€ It is obvious that the sovereign God who controlled all the situations to let the baby Jesus be born in Bethlehem also acted out for the baby to be placed in a manger. The baby in a manger was an undeniable act of God along with his birth in Bethlehem. The sovereign God let his Son be laid in a manger in the stable of an animal. It clearly shows that the sovereign God is also a humble God. He is the Creator and owner of the universe and all things in it. He is Most High God. But he did not let the divine heavenly baby be laid in a palace, but in the poor and lowest place, in a manger. He is truly a humble God. In this passage, Caesar Augustus sitting on the throne of Roman Empire and the baby Jesus laid in a manger make a sharp contrast. Many people envy Caesar on the throne. They want to climb up to Caesarâ€™s throne and enjoy the pleasures and luxuries and glory and honour of this world. Most people have no eyes to see the baby Jesus in a manger. They despise the lowly and humble state. God sent his Son into this world as the expression his best love. But who can see and accept him? Only those whose hearts are humble can. Jesus said in Matthew 5:3, â€œBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.â€œ The poor in spirit can see him and possess his kingdom. It does not necessarily mean that only those who are in low social position and in poverty can receive this blessing. In Matthew chapter 2, Magi from the East who must have been rich and in high position in their countries came to Bethlehem. They found the object of their true worship in the baby Jesus in a manger and worshipped him offering their precious gifts. In doing so they had salvation and true joy and satisfaction. Also, as we studied in Matthewâ€™s gospel, a Roman centurion and a ruler Jairus could receive the mercy of Jesus and experience him when they came to Jesus with their problems and humble themselves before him. They were all humble in heart regardless of their high positions. At the same time, the lowly people like a man with leprosy and the blind and a woman with a chronic bleeding problem could meet Jesus the Son of God and receive his mercy and grace, when they recognized their humble state and came to him with personal faith. In the Old Testament, Hannah poured out her soul to God when she was barren and her rival kept provoking her to irritate her. Then the Lord heard her humble cry and gave her Samuel plus three other sons and two daughters. Last fall M. Moses had a very difficult time with the failure in his Ph.D. study. But he humbly accepted the outcome and started anew to study for his graduate program. Now after one year, we see that God blessed him with a precious family in God, and M. Hannah is here. Also, he is working fulltime in an institute, taking care of Godâ€™s flock of sheep, Jeremy and Tolu. When I look back this year, I was most humble when we prepared for SBC. Before the first GTA SBC, I felt very helpless with many obstacles and not much resource. I could not but come to God humbly and cry out to him for his help. He showed his mercy and grace to this servant and enabled me to serve the conference. I believe each of you experienced that when you were humble, God poured out his grace upon you. We also experience time and again that when we humble ourselves and cry out to God, he gives us his words in our testimony writing or message preparation. In Maryâ€™s Song she said, â€œâ€¦he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughtsâ€¦but has lifted up the humble.â€ (Lk 1:51-52). God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. It is written in James 4:7 and 1 Peter 5:5. Then Peter advises, â€œHumble yourselves, therefore, under Godâ€™s mighty hand, that he may life you up in due timeâ€ (1 Pe 5:6). It is a very meaningful historical fact that the baby Jesus was not born and laid in a luxurious cradle in Caesarâ€™s palace but in a manger of the stable of an animal. Before Jesusâ€™ birth, the manger was nothing but a stinky and mean estate, where ox and ass were feeding. But since Jesusâ€™ birth, the manger became the symbol of the most beautiful place because Godâ€™s Son was laid there revealing the humble God. It is true that where Jesus is, the kingdom of heaven is there. In the humble manger-like heart can Jesus come and dwell. . A humble heart is a seeking heart. But it is easy to become busy with no seeking heart and no room for God. Around Christmas time people seem to be busier and more occupied with the people and things of the world. But we need a humble, seeking heart to have a meaningful Christmas and newly experience the grace of Jesus laid in a manger. We can do so through sincere, not habitual, Bible study on Christmas passages. Our students are burdened with final exams. But a humble heart can depend on God. With many things to do we are preparing Christmas worship service. Still a humble heart can seek to do something to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus: one time of sincere prayer or daily prayer, preparing one program we can do, serving one needy person and inviting him or her to the Christmas worship service, faithful 1:1 Bible study, using money for myself less and for God and others more. God will richly bless a humble, seeking heart. Thank God that he is the Sovereign Ruler of history and he is a humble God. May we hold fast to his words of promise and love the baby Jesus laid in a manger, rejecting Caesar on the throne so that the grace of the baby Jesus in manger may abound in each of us.

Attachment