Away in a manger...

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12

The secret of Christmas is in the manger, a simple but sacred place, in Bethlehem. Jesus was born into poverty and in humility. Jesus calls upon us to embrace poverty and humility of spirit and to rely on Him for all our needs.

Like the shepherds who found the Babe in a manger, may we open our hearts to gaze at Jesus in the manger. May we find the joy and peace of Christmas and share it with all those we encounter.

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this things that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16

May our own Nativity scenes be a visible reminder of that Holy Night when our Savior was born. May we keep the Holy Family in our hearts, Mary and Joseph and the little Babe of Bethlehem, who came to save us from sin. May we always remember that the wood of the manger that held Him so securely would one day give way to the wood of the Cross.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us and all the names we receive through this ministry.