Abba Father Family Disciples

Today's verse:
. . . She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger. . . .
Luke 2:7

Thoughts on today's verse: At the very heart of Christmas we find a rag-wrapped baby lying in a makeshift crib. By itself, that's not so unusual. Babies show up when and where they happen to be born. Mothers have to deal with it, ready or not. And they do, whether the baby is delivered in a hospital, in a taxicab, or on a kitchen floor.
What's unusual here is not the rags. Mary improvised, using what was available. And what's unusual is not the manger. That was just a smart solution to an urgent need. No, what's unusual here is the baby himself.
Now, this baby has the usual number of fingers and toes. You just know that Mary counts them. This baby has the usual smooth, soft skin. You just know that Mary adores his little cheeks. And this baby makes all the usual sounds: coos and gurgles and wails. You just know that Mary takes in these sounds as sweet music.
What's unusual about this baby is not his actual flesh and blood, not his appearance, not his behavior. No, what's unusual about this baby is the identity veiled by his helpless human form.
Because this baby is the God “through [whom] all things were made” (John 1:3). This is a wonder.

Prayer: Son of Mary, help us to wonder as we wander through your story this month. Deepen our faith as we encounter your genuinely human glory. Amen.
Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Psalm 108:12 - 13 ESV [Andries]

Refuse to worry about things that are out of your reach and control. Faith is believing without seeing, and you can put your faith in Me to take you where you need to go and give you the wisdom that is necessary to navigate your circumstances. Save your energy and just do what is required of you today. I am with you, says the Lord.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Don't feel sorry for or fear for your children/grandchildren, because the world they will grow up in is not what you knew. God created them and called them for the exact time they are in. Their life was not a coincidence or an accident. Equip them to know the power in which they walk as children of God. Teach them the authority of His Word. Teach them to walk in faith knowing that God is in control. Empower them to know they can change the world. Do not teach them to be afraid and discouraged about the state of the world, but hopeful that they will have to do something about it. People were placed in history in the time they were in because of God's sovereign plan.

He knew David could handle Goliath.
He knew Esther could handle Haman.
He knew Peter could handle persecution.
He knows that your child can handle any challenge in their life. He created them specifically for that! Do not be afraid for your children, but be honored that God has chosen YOU to equip this generation to face the greatest challenges of our lifetime.
Raise Daniels, Davids, Esthers and Peters!
God is not scratching his head and wondering what He is going to do with this mess of a world.
He has an army that He is raising to drive back the darkness and make Himself known throughout the earth.
Don't let your fear steal the greatness that God has placed in them. I know it's hard to imagine them as anything but our sweet little babies, and we just want to protect them from anything that could ever be hard on them, but they were born for such a time as this.
~Alex Cravens