The Message Of The Manger

When Israel began their journey through the wilderness, God rained “bread from Heaven” and the people were to “gather a certain rate every day.” They were to gather it every morning, if they waited too long and the sun arose, it melted. What was gathered each day, bred worms and stank if they left it to the next day, and no manna rained down on the Sabbath day, for on Friday, God sent double which miraculously lasted for two days.

When Jesus was born, the angels called Him Savior… “Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Messiah Jehovah” (Luke 2:11). Then Mary wrapped Him in flannel and laid Him in a manger – a feeding trough for sheep, because we need to start each day with the great truth of ‘Who’ He is and what He has done to save us.

Jesus was sent to earth as the True Bread from Heaven. Bread is comfort food which in its pure form, strengthens our hearts. The message of the Manger and the Manna is that we need to gather strength from our Savior every morning. Sorry – but you can’t live today on yesterday’s devotions. You need to hear the Voice of Christ fresh each morning for yourself. Nothing is more important, or we will find ourselves spiritually hungry and weak through the day.

May this Christmas be a time to remember that we have a Savior who defeated death, the devil, and every trial or enemy we will ever face. There will always be an unending list of things to do, and daily troubles that arise. But nourishing our souls with the unfailing love of Christ each day, is the victory that overcomes the world.

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)