STRAW for the MANGER .... Advent 2011



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.

Advent 2011

STRAW 2

...For the humiliation HE+ endured

for our sakes,

we give THEE thanks...

From the moment HE+ entered His+ birth-mother's womb, Our LORD suffered humiliation... as the good people of Nazareth whispered about His+ seeming "illegitimacy"  even from the beginning.

Being born in a stable, with a manger as His+ first cradle, no loving grandmother or precious aunts around to help with the birthing, Our LORD suffered humiliation even as a rejected Babe +. 

Humiliation was to be His+ portion from the time of His+ birth until HE+ said, "FATHER, it is finished... into THY Hands I +  commit My+ SPIRIT. "

+  +  +

O LORD,

I see Thy+ deep humiliation which was Thy+ portion from the beginning of Thy+ earthly days. Help me also to embrace the low portion, the low seat, the humiliation that others put upon me.

And, help me to embrace it with a Spirit of Humility,  joining myself to the Suffering CHRIST-CHILD+ , with true thankfulness of heart and meekness of soul.... as I enter into every new situation.... even as I interact with old familiar family, neighbors, and friends. 

Forgive me for fleeing from humiliation... forgive me for refusing to  practice humiliation when THOU+ hast sent it to me for my portion for that hour.

Help me with this, O LORD, that I may with a gladsome heart embrace Thy+ Cross here on earth ..... in order to hear Thy+ Words: "Well done,  good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the Joy of Thy LORD !"

In the Name of JESUS, 

The LORD of the Humble of Heart ,

I pray. 

Amen.    

Straw for the Manger is a necessary thing for the CHRIST-CHILD'S first earthbound bed. Let us provide that straw, as a memorial of good works and repentances, to prepare for HIS+ coming, to remember HIS+ first Advent among the sons of men. For every good deed, kind deed, for every turning the other cheek, for every submission of our tongue to CHRIST JESUS, let us put a straw into the empty manger box and prepare our hearts for the Coming of The LORD.