Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The Incarnation was the great event in the world's history. Nothing can rival in interest to us the coming of God in our mortal flesh; the shadowing of Deity in a human form, so that we might see Him; the manifestation of Deity in a saving love, so that we might be drawn to Him; the shinings in our humanity of a Divine purity; which should at once reveal to us our sins; and deliver us from their power. I. OUR SAVIOUR WAS A REAL MAN. All are alike at birth — babes. Christ came as we came. He passed through the entire experience of human life, starting from the cradle, right up to and beyond the tomb. II. OUR SAVIOUR WAS SIMPLY A MAN. "Ye shall find the babe": just a babe, no more. No accident of birth limited Jesus to any part of the community; there were none of those things about Him on which men pride themselves. He belongs to all, however humble, obscure, poor, simple, needy. III. HE WAS A LOVING MAN. A babe is the emblem of the mightiest thing on earth — love — the sunshine of the Divine radience. IV. He was, for the most part, A REJECTED MAN. There never seemed to be any room for Him, from His birth onwards. V. HE IS ALL IN ALL TO THOSE WHO RECEIVE HIM. 1. To find this Babe will be the beginning of truest peace to our own hearts. 2. To find this Babe will be the beginning for us of a better, nobler life. 3. To find this Babe will give to us the true spirit of brotherhood and charity. (R. Tuck, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. |
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