Jesus, the Ultimate Hero

With temperatures in North Texas over 100 degrees every day for a month so far this summer, my husband and I have gone to see a number of movies. We always enjoy movie-watching, but I can’t remember going quite as often as we have this year. Most of them have been action shows, ranging from stories about aliens to “Harry Potter 7.” Some have been pretty good while others have been weak in plot, characters, and acting. Whether good or bad, many of our choices focus on a character who rescues those at risk—the earth, the universe, the town, the pretty girl, etc.

Lessons from the Manger

We all know the story in Luke 2. Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem for Caesar’s census and found the inn full. However, someone mercifully allowed them to stay in a stable. Jesus was born there with only an unsanitary feeding trough available as his bed.

Because this story is so familiar, I easily overlook its significance. Instead of consuming and digesting God’s word so that it becomes real and personal, my tendency is to do just what James warns about—look in God’s mirror and turn away without change (Jam. 1:23-25).

So what is God showing me from the story of the manger today?