Chrissy Siggee

A CRADLE MADE FOR ROYALTY

Luke 2:6
And Mary, 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.

Luke 2:12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:15-16
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

I’ve often heard of women not making it in time to a hospital. Even a well prepared home birth can be messed up if the expecting mother is caught across town in the supermarket. Taxi births are common, so are babies born in elevators. But what would be more degrading for a mother in the “modern” world than to give birth in a tiny barn full of smelly animals?

It’s true that the birth itself is often quickly forgotten when the joy of holding your newborn baby in your arms follows. Your baby is the most beautiful princess, or little prince, you have ever laid eyes on. It’s then time to show your precious new family member the nursery that you have so lovingly put together during the months of waiting. The cradle that took you forever to choose is almost fit for royalty, and don’t forget the bunny rugs.

But hold on a moment. I don’t remember reading that part in the Christmas story. The shepherds found the babe lying in a manger. A manger is kept in stable! It’s use as the feeding trough for donkeys and milking cows! There would probably even be hens and a goat or two sharing the small space around the manger. Here is where the King of the Jews was sleeping? And, sitting close by with watchful eyes, were Mary and Joseph; a humble pair who had travelled many miles to find no room in the inn.

Quote: “The term swaddling clothes is based on a 2,000 year old Middle Eastern culture. They developed a way to deal with in-journey deaths. Each person would take a long, thin, gauze-like cloth and wrap it around their waist many times. This would be one of the bottom layers of clothing. This cloth would be reserved for death. If someone died during the journey, their friends or family would remove the “swaddling cloth” and wrap them from head to toe so they could complete the journey. Baby Jesus was wrapped in Joseph’s death cloth—the unusual sign the angels would have referred to. – www.wiki.answers.com

So what is the relevance of the Jesus being wrapped in a death cloth? John 9:38 says “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.”

This cradle was made for royalty. Jesus was born in a manger because He was, and is, and will always be “Lord of Lords and King of Kings”.

This same Jesus was found by the shepherds wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger—a cradle made for royalty.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

LET HIS LIGHT SHINE LIKE THE CHRISTMAS STAR

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Christmas is approaching fast and stores are filled with decorations and gifts for all ages. Christmas trees, real and fake, dazzle us with lights and baubles. Let’s face it; it gives us all a feeling of excitement that Christmas is just around the corner.

As Christians, our celebrations of the birth of Christ vary from family to family, from church to church, from tradition to tradition. In reality it doesn’t matter how we celebrate as long as the true message of Christmas is our main focus.

If your family is like ours, we have some relations who are Christians and some who are not. When family get-to-gethers are a must at this time of year, our beliefs can sometimes clash, which can only cause stress and unhappiness when JOY should be among us.

As a child, my favourite Christmas decoration was the Christmas Star, which we placed on the top of our tree year after year. One Christmas we visited cousins who used a fairy. A star was nowhere to be seen. I could not comprehend how a fairy could replace the precious tree-topper. Later in life when I had my own family, the idea of a fairy tree-topper never entered my mind. Our own children were brought up knowing the true meaning of Christmas: The birth of Jesus. The brightness of that Christmas Star reflected the announcement of royalty birth, Jesus—the light of the world and guided the shepherds and the wise men to Jesus.

In the same way, our hearts need to reflect the love of Jesus who resides in us. Our lives need to reveal the light that burns just like the Christmas Star. We can let our light so shine before men—and our families who don’t always see eye-to-eye of Christmas is about. Live as Jesus would live. Speak as Jesus would speak; with love in our hearts that shine like the Christmas Star that can lead others to Jesus.

Let’s show love and grace to those who see things differently to us this Christmas. Let your light shine so we glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Father, let our light shine from within that we may lead others to Jesus and the true message of Christmas be seen by your love within us. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

PROMISES, PROMISES

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is one of those passages of Scripture that lingers in the air and echoes in the mind long after it’s been read. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. That’s one reassuring promise. There’s no one else who can make a promise like that and keep it.

Have you ever had someone make you a promise and not keep it? It hurts; especially when it was made by someone you thought you could trust to fulfil the promises. Perhaps time overwhelmed them or situations changed, but it still leaves a sense of being totally rejected.

Have you told someone you would do something and didn’t follow through? We need to watch what we promise. I remember when my children were little. At one time I had to break a promise in relation to a birthday party venue. The venue had changed owners and rules. I was no longer comfortable taking children on the premises with its new clientele and their disturbing behaviour. I broke a promise and had to explain my reasons, but as children are, I still broke a promise. I eventually found a more suitable place that the children were delighted with but from then on, I often added the words, “unless something unforseen happens and if it’s God’s will.”

Promises of love can sometimes lead to devastation. Norm and I have had many friends over the years whose marriages have ended in divorce, often ugly. Their ultimate reasons were usually based on broken promises. How sad.

God’s promises to us can never be broken and when I see God’s handiwork in the stars, breathe in the ocean air, take in the endless mountain views or the beauty in the land, I think how awesome his love is for me. Knowing that nothing or no one can stop that love, is precious and eternal.

Oh Lord, the God of all creation, I praise your holy name. I am thankful for your overwhelming love for me. Your promises from Scripture fill me with hope and joy. Thank you for truth and honour that reigns forever. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We all have times in our lives where we need to make decisions. You know the type: those decisions that require wisdom. This kind of wisdom can only be found in Christ; wisdom we need to seek through His Word. However, Scripture is not a catalog of “do’s and don’ts” of all matters of life, but it is critical to rely on with prayer.

If you have read any of my other devotions you would know how vital prayer is in my life. Prayer, and the seeking direction through the word of God, will give us the result of wise decisions.

Scripture consists largely of general and specific principles in particular contexts to which they apply. Because of this decisions cannot be made without taking them to the Lord in prayer. We need to express our needs, our desires, and our hopes. Give Him the glory for all he has done for us and what He will continue to do. He knows our needs before we ask, but we need to ask wait and listen.

Simple? No. I know many times that by simply asking, waiting and listening, doesn’t always disclose His direction immediately. However, His direction on how to seek wisdom, and why, is clear:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13

May God lead you in to His wisdom and show you direction for those decisions you need to make.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible