Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Thursday, December 23, 2021

A colonial era home near Valley Forge PA

"Divinity In A Diaper"

Message summary: Jesus Himself stated, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Today let us lift up the One Mary laid down in the manger!

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"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12). "And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger" (Luke 2:16).

In our message last Sunday morning our pastor stressed the importance of connecting the manger to the Cross. So that is what we will seek to do in today's message.

The very first place the infant Jesus was physically placed, after His birth, was in a manger, the feeding trough for animals. The specific composition of the manger is not specified in Scripture, but it was likely made from wood or perhaps from a hollowed out log. One source suggested it was a water trough carved from stone. Although I am not an expert in archaeology I am pretty certain it wasn't made of plastic!

One can see Mary wrapping her newborn babe in cloths and tenderly placing Him in the manger. Perhaps the following will be too much analytical musing for some.

What did they use at the time of Jesus for diapers? The disposable diaper was not invented till the mid-fifties and of course it took awhile to catch on. We were both born in the mid-fifties but are certain our mothers didn't use something newfangled and expensive like disposable diapers!

Mary wrapped Jesus in “swaddling cloths”. We often consider this in regard to keeping Him covered and warm. However there was also likely a diaper purpose to these cloths. One source rather candidly explained, "In ancient times it was common for babies to wrapped in cloth, but with an opening left near the buttocks. Women would carry a small clay pot and would hold this in position when the baby was about to excrete. This may sound strange in the modern world of disposable diapers, but many mothers still practice this."

What an interesting detail and sign of the humble start on earth for the incarnate, eternal Son of God. Divinity in a diaper! He was surely lovingly, gently and purposefully wrapped and laid in the manger. The eternal Son of God, by whose command the world was formed, was "wrapped in swaddling cloths and placed in a manger.

But is there an even deeper meaning in these swaddling cloths and manger? This was a "sign" to the shepherds (Luke 2:12). Rabbi Jason Sobel suggests a fascinating reason for this:

"For the shepherds, there was great significance in finding the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths. This will be a sign to you. You'll see a baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling cloths. These were not ordinary shepherds, these were Levitical shepherds. They were raising the sacrifices that were to be offered in the temple and when it was time for these lambs to be born they would bring them into the shepherd's caves and they'd be born in these caves, and then it would be swaddled because the sacrifice had to be without spot or blemish. And so you could imagine these shepherds, who were raising the sacrifices for the temple, get this revelation from the angels that they're going to find a a baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling cloths. So what do they see; a baby, born in the same place of the Passover lambs, were born swaddled like a Passover lamb which pointed to the fact that Messiah was the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world."

In the Gospel of John after the rich theological introduction in verses 1-18 Jesus is first introduced by John the Baptist with these words, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).

The final physical place where Jesus was placed on earth was a cross. As a symbol we now see crosses made of stone, metal, jewels, and other materials (even plastic!), but the old rugged cross upon which the dear Son of God died was most certainly made of wood. In fact Peter writes, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.” At His birth He was lovingly placed in the manger by His mother. But at His death he was angrily nailed to the cross by the hands of wicked men. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter cried out to the crowd, “You, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross” (Acts 2:23).

Jesus Himself stated, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Today let us lift up the One Mary laid down in the manger! Divinity in a diaper.

See Him in a manger laid, Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, with us sing our Savior’s birth.
Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Jesus, we know that You no longer physically occupy a place where we can see, touch, or talk with You face to face. But You reside within the hearts of those who make room for You. You said, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me" so we lift You up Your name, for You are holy and deserving of all glory, honor and praise. Though the world may cast You aside we place You front and center of all that we do so that all who see us will also see Your Spirit at work in our lives. May the love You shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit also be spread around to those whom we regularly have contact with through Christ our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.

The Webers at the Shadow Mountain Community Church Nativity

Christmas greeting to our readers:

We express our greatest appreciation and love to you, our faithful daily encouragement readers. We have met or heard from so many fine readers from all walks of life and from all regions of the world and we are better for it in our spiritual walk and our social life. We always enjoy your feedback and your stimulating comments that affirm or challenge us to think further on a subject matter. We're even glad for those of you who take the time to let us know a link is broken or a date is wrong, etc.

We are praying for those whose Christmas season may be difficult this year due to a heartache you are experiencing, and for those who suffer from a significant loss in your life. May our faithful Lord meet you and bring a deep settled peace in your heart as you reflect upon Him as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.

Special Year-end Financial Appeal

We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if you would like to make a donation to our ministry see here for more information. Like many ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful.

Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.

To donate directly online click here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: STEPHEN & BROOKSYNE WEBER - 700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED CHAPLAINCY

Please Note: If you desire you can donate directly through PayPal using this link. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber". We keep this option available due to the familiarity, convenience, international supporters, and for those who may not need an official receipt. You can also set up for recurring donations. You also can use PayPal on this link.

Thank you,

Stephen & Brooksyne

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

Rabbi Jason Sobel The Significance of the Swaddling Clothes Video 2:08 minutes

See Him In A Manger Lay" Video Eric and Tonna O’Dell

"Away In A Manger" Video Casting Crowns

"Angels We Have Heard On High" Video Awaken Worship

A Brief History of the Disposable Diaper

Yesterday we shared a quiz that identify Christmas songs using some rather cryptic clues. Here are the answers:
(Kudos to Linda from West Virginia for plodding through and getting the answers for this rather unusual quiz!

1. Quadruped with Crimson Proboscis.....Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
2. Eight p.m. to Six a.m. without noise.........Silent Night
3. Minuscule Hamlet in the Near East...........O Little Town of Bethlehem
4. Ancient Benevolent Despot.....Good King Winsleaus
5. Exuberance Directed to the Planet..........Joy to the World
6. Listen, Aerial Spirits Announcing..........Hark the Herald Angels Sing
7. Trio of Monarchs.....We Three kings
8. Yonder in the Hay Rack............Away in a Manger
9. Cherubim Audited from Aloft.........Angels We Have Heard on High
10. Assemble Everyone Who Believes............Oh Come All Ye Faithful
11. Hollowed Post Meridian.........O Holy Night
12. Fantasia of a Colorless December 25..........I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
13. A Dozen Twenty-Four Hour Yule Periods.....12 Days of Christmas
14. Befell During the Transparent Bewitching Hour.......It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
15. Frigid Homo Sapien of Crystallized Vapor..............Frosty the Snowman
16. Desire a Pair of Incisors on December 25.......All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
17. I Spied my Maternal Parent Osculating........I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
18. Perambulating Through a December Solstice Fantasy....Walking in a Winter Wonderland
19. Adorn the Vestibule.............Deck the Halls
20. Tin Tintinnabulums.......Silver Bells or Jingle Bells

Resources for Christmas Celebrations

(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas)

Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years. Perhaps they may be a blessing to you, your family or church during this Christmas season.

"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)

"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.

Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18  pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him"  pdf

My First Christmas In Heaven  This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year.

Christmas Knowledge Test

We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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