Without the Cradle

                                                                       Luke 2:12
                                                   "And this will be the sign to you:
                                     You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths,
                                                                lying in a manger."

Have you ever considered without the cradle, Christ would never have faced the cross? And without the cross, we would be facing a future of eternal separation with no promise of heaven?

There is so much more to Christmas than a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. In the previous verses Luke tells of shepherds watching their flock by night;

                 And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the
                 Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel
                 said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of
                 great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day
                 in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."     Luke 2-9-11                 
     
When Christ came to earth as a Babe, there was purpose in His coming. He came as our Savior, to make us clean before the Father. Through Christ alone we have a promise of life eternal.

                 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
                "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
                                                                                                           John 1:29

As I focus on Christmas, I will no longer think only of a sweet baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. I will think of my Savior, and how He came for me, willing to take my punishment on the cross that I may have life eternal through Him.

From the cradle to the cross, from the cross to Christ our Savior. This is Christmas.

                "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall
                  conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
                                                                                                           Isaiah 7:14

                "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is
                 Christ the Lord."                                                               Luke 2:11




                              The above Devotional was taken from my Daily Devotional,
               "Living in the Vineyard" Listening for the Voice of God. 

               This Devotional consists of 245 individual devotionals designed to help the
            reader ponder lessons taken from the Word of God. Blessing many readers
            thus far, this would be a wonderful way to begin the New Year. It would also
            make a special  gift for those on your Christmas list whom you would like to
            encourage in the Lord.
            Available at 452eagleswings@gmail.com or though Amazon.com
            When ordering through my email I will personally sign each book and shipping
            is free.  Cost $20.00