Luke 2:6-7 "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
It is difficult to think that anyone, with understanding, could read these two verses without being "touched" in the heart by these words. The very Lord of glory left heaven to come to this earth. Emmanuel, God in flesh, left the throne of heaven where angels constantly bowed before Him and cried out "Holy, Holy, Holy!" He chose to come to this earth, laying aside that glory to walk as a man among those who were such contradictions to Him. He came, not to be born in the finest hospital with all the latest equipment. He came, not to live in a palace with all its finery. He was not even afforded a room in the local inn; rather He was born in a stable and laid in a manger - a feeding trough. He did not have a house and warm bed to lay down at night. Yes, there is definitely something about the account of Jesus' birth that touches me just as Jesus touched the leper that day. My life has been changed because of the Master's touch. How about yours?
Psalm 88:1-4 A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (2) Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; (3) For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. (4) I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength" I've said this before and I will say it again (and probably more times before we get to the end of the Psalms) - I love the Psalms because I can surely identify with them. Most Psalms start in a low place and as the writer expresses his thoughts, the Lord begins to lift him up out of that dry place. Though this entire Psalm is a fervent cry unto the Lord, the Psalmist tells us specifically in three verses that he cried daily unto the Lord. Just a few Psalms ago, we were reminded that God always hears our prayers. ...