A Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard and during one cold night it received a lost and cold visitor. An abandoned dog was looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep. He chose baby Jesus as his comfort station. When discovered during the night, no one had the heart to send him away, and so he spent the entire night there until the next morning when church staff brought him to a rescue shelter (this story was submitted by that same shelter).
The moral of the story: "We should all have the good sense of this dog and curl up onto Jesus' lap from time to time where His everlasting arms are ever open to the lost, the abandoned, the despairing, and unfound." He is as far away as the sigh of a heavy heart sent in prayerful cry and need. And as close at hand as the nearest passerby whom God will send to meet those needs.
Lastly, it should be noted that this dog's breed is a German "Shepherd." Patently driving home the idea to any onlookers not recognizing the significance of the Christ-child - borne in a manager, heralded by angels, worshiped by shepherds of the field, and come to be the Good Shepherd of mankind on a cold winter's eve.
R.E. Slater
The moral of the story: "We should all have the good sense of this dog and curl up onto Jesus' lap from time to time where His everlasting arms are ever open to the lost, the abandoned, the despairing, and unfound." He is as far away as the sigh of a heavy heart sent in prayerful cry and need. And as close at hand as the nearest passerby whom God will send to meet those needs.
Lastly, it should be noted that this dog's breed is a German "Shepherd." Patently driving home the idea to any onlookers not recognizing the significance of the Christ-child - borne in a manager, heralded by angels, worshiped by shepherds of the field, and come to be the Good Shepherd of mankind on a cold winter's eve.
R.E. Slater
December 11, 2011
The Birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1.18-25, ESV)
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
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The Birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1.18-25, ESV)
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"
and they shall call his name Immanuel"
(which means, God with us). 24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
The Birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2.1-20, ESV)
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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