A manger, in Bethlehem
A manger provides animals with food.
Bethlehem means “house of bread.”
Jesus, the Bread of Life, is born to us in a manger, in the “house of bread.”
Doesn’t God have a marvelously interesting way of doing things?
Now, God continues to nourish us with the food of God’s words and the Eucharist.
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Good News of Great Joy for All People
The Savior of the world was born in Bethlehem, which means “house of bread.”
God’s eternal Word became flesh. Now, in God’s words and in the Eucharist, the Savior of the world continues to be with us. That is the “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” proclaimed to the shepherds on that first Christmas night and now for all humanity.
Jesus – Emmanuel
In movies, superheroes are often portrayed swooping in, saves the day, and disappears.
That is not the way of Jesus. He came to save us from sins and death. And he stays with us.
He is present in us, in other people, in His saving words, and in His Sacraments.
He is Jesus, who saves his people from their sins. He is Emmanuel, “God with us.”
Are You the One?
"Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
This question from John the Baptist challenges us to ask ourselves, “For me, is Jesus the Savior?”
Or do I put my faith in somebody or something else?
And if I profess that Jesus is the Savior, do my thoughts, attitudes, words, and action reflect my faith in Jesus?
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Children of God
“God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”
Certainly!
And the same almighty God has created us out of nothing.
Then, God’s only Son came to save us from sins, and to restore us as God’s sons and daughters.
In the Savior, God’s promise to Abraham was now extended to all, “in your descendants all the nations of the earth will find blessing” (Genesis 22:18).
God created me a child of God and now God blesses all nations of the earth through me. What a privilege!
Image source: www.agnusday.org
