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?
Colossians 1:25-26 “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” In verse twenty-four, Paul has expressed his joy in bearing hardship for the church. It is of this church, the body of Jesus Christ, that he is made a minister. Since Paul used the phrase “made a minister” in verse twenty-three of this same chapter, it seems there is something important that he wishes to convey. The Greek word translated as “made” means “to cause to be.” It was the will of God (Col 1:1) that caused Paul to become a minister. God is always the cause of true ministry. Although our fathers may be ministers, if we become true ministers of the gospel it is not because our fathers are ministers. True ministers of the gospel do not take that path because they seek honor for themselves, or b...