Reflecting God – Wednesday, 4 December 2013 – “Who do You See In The Manger?” Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1

Reflecting God – Wednesday, 4 December 2013 – “Who do You See In The Manger?” Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1: God Has Spoken by His Son

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son,[a] whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains[b] all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The Son Is Superior to Angels

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,

    and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,

    and his servants flames of fire.”

8 But of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is[c] forever and ever,

    and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your[d] kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you

    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

“In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands;

11 they will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like clothing;

12 like a cloak you will roll them up,

    and like clothing[e] they will be changed.

But you are the same,

    and your years will never end.”

13 But to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand

    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are not all angels[f] spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Footnotes:

Hebrews 1:2 Or the Son

Hebrews 1:3 Or bears along

Hebrews 1:8 Or God is your throne

Hebrews 1:8 Other ancient authorities read his

Hebrews 1:12 Other ancient authorities lack like clothing

Hebrews 1:14 Gk all of them(NRSV)

“Who Do You See In the Manger” by Debbie Salter Goodwin

A new baby generates comparisons. He has his father’s eyes. She has her mother’s nose. While each person is unique, we do not come into the world without the imprint of our parents.

This was certainly true for Jesus. His father was Creator. The comparison wasn’t about fingers and toes. It was about character, being, and essence. They were Father and Son in a divine unity that our best words can’t fully explain.

The message of Christmas is not a choice between the God of the Old Testament and the Son of the New Testament. The message is that they are the same. This unity brings a power and continuity that no other philosophy or creed can share. We come to the manger to understand that the one born into humanity came from Godwithoutbeginning. The creative word that spoke into existence our world of texture and beauty came from the same source that invited us to “Come,” “Drink,” “Repent,” “Forgive.”

As we come to the manger at Christmas, we bow before the God of the universe. We see God as Jesus born to give us a picture of God we can understand. We come to the manger, and God sleeps there.

Hymn for Today:

“Once in a Royal David’s city” by Cecil F. Alexander

1. Once in royal David’s city

stood a lowly cattle shed,

where a mother laid her baby

in a manger for his bed:

Mary was that mother mild;

Jesus Christ, her little child.

2. He came down to earth from heaven

who is God and Lord of all,

and his shelter was a stable,

and his cradle was a stall;

with the poor and meek and lowly,

lived on earth our Savior holy.

3. Jesus is our childhood’s pattern;

day by day like us he grew;

he was little, weak and helpless;

tears and smiles like us he knew;

and he feels for all our sadness,

and he shares in all our gladness.

4. And our eyes at last shall see him,

through his own redeeming love;

for that child so dear and gentle

is our Lord in heaven above;

and he leads his children on

to the place where he is gone.

Thought for Today:

“We stand with Mary surprised that God visits us, favors us with His grace, reaches out to us through the intimate message of God made flesh” (Debbie Salter Goodwin).

Prayer Needs:

Many people in Armenia with come know Jesus The Christ (Yeshua The Messiah) and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Global Church of the Nazarene

Global Ministry Center

17001 Prairie Star Parkway

Lenexa, KS 66220 United States

Phone: (913)577-0500

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