Freelance writer Lupie Riley

Thought:  I had what you would call a melt down last week.  I plugged in a space heater and it tripped the breaker to my microwave.  Unbeknown to me I thought my microwave was destined for the recycle bin. Oh my! What would I do without a microwave?  It dawned on me how spoiled we are in this land of plenty with all our gadgets, appliances, and tech toys.  The Amish people have no problem living without electricity and all these luxuries. 

Since we are in the holiday season what was Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem like?  Mary’s transportation could possibly have been a donkey but I’m sure she did a lot of walking the 80 miles or more to Bethlehem. This was a 7 to 10 day trip on hard, dusty, rocky roads in sandals.  At 14 or 16 years of age, pregnant ready to deliver, I can’t imagine how miserable she must have been.  With Bethlehem’s Inn’s full of travelers for the censes she and Joseph ended up in a cold, damp stall full of animals that were sheltered for the night.  The smells and sounds must have filled the room with only a small, clay, lamp for light as Joseph frantically delivered the Savior and King of the world.  They placed him in a cradle that was a rock hewn, straw filled manger, a humble beginning for Royalty.

We can’t process what that night was like with all our creature comforts were surrounded with.  There were no hospitals or doctors to attend to the delivery when God entered into the mainstream of humanity.  The shepherds attending the sheep, that were used in the temple ceremonies, were astounded by the appearance of Angels announcing the birth of the Christ child who was born to die as the lamb of God for the sins of the world.  Because of Jesus death, burial and resurrection we now have forgiveness and eternal life if we believe in who He is and what he accomplished on the cross. 

So many of us are caught up in the frenzy of gift shopping and planning for a big meal but how many set aside a quiet time to reflect back of the true meaning of Christmas and who it was lying in that manger that starry night. That child was GOD who humbled himself and put on the flesh of man to save his created from their sins.  For those who believe in him they are given forgiveness and eternal life in heaven.  He offers a new life and direction when invited in Spirit to set up residence in your heart and mind.  Make this coming New Year a new beginning,  one of peace and confidence that Heaven is your new home as you trust in the baby (Jesus) that lay in that manger over 2,000 years ago.  He is the reason for the season.

Prayer:  Father God, It’s hard to process how you became flesh in the person of Jesus because there was no one without sin that could redeem your children from their sins.  Your bodily sacrifice provided the forgiveness that was needed so that mankind could be given eternal life in that place you have prepared them.  Amen

Verse:  I Cor. 1:24,25 “But God has opened the eyes of those called to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, to see that Christ is the mighty power of God to save them.  Christ himself is the center of God’s wise plan for their salvation.  This so-called “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest plan of the wisest man and God, in his weakness—Christ dying on the cross—is far stronger than any man.”

Rev. 1:18 “ Though I AM the first and the last (the A to Z) the living one who died (Jesus) who is now alive forevermore, who has the keys of hell and death---don’t be afraid.”

Married 58 years, four children, nine grandchildren and three greats.  I've been a freelance writer for over 40 years.  Working on a book at the present.  My priorities are God first, family, country. Look me up on Google search by my name Lupie Riley, click on first link. Faithwriters.com