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May you know feed upon the Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas season and experience His awesome love as the Lord's actions are done to give you new life in Christ! Amen!

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn

Observations:
I asked myself who are the characters mentioned?1. Joseph 2. David 3. Mary 4. Child/Baby/Son

Observations:
Character 1: Joseph

I asked myself what we can learn about Joseph!
1. So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David (v.4a)

2. Because Joseph belonged to the house and line of David. (v.4b)

3. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (v.5)

Interpretations:
Point 1&2: Because Joseph belonged to the house and line of David, he had to specifically go to Bethlehem to register for their census. Each one to his own place of ancestry was the rule.

Point 3: Even though Mary became pregnant before her marriage to Joseph, Joseph pledged himself to be married to her. Looking at this verse alone will make us wonder why Mary became pregnant before her marriage to Joseph since she was just pledged to be married to him! In those days being pregnant out of wedlock was a disgrace and shame. To understand what Child is this, who the father of the child is, and if Mary and Joseph did wrong before marriage, we need to understand parts of chapter 1 of Luke very well which I intend to look at later.

Observations:
Character 2: David

I asked myself why David was mentioned here!
1. To let us know that Joseph belonged to the house and line of David. (v. 4b)

Interpretations:
Since Joseph belonged to the house and line of David, he was required by law to go to his ancestry home to register for the census. It just so happened to be Bethlehem. It is very interesting that Joseph comes from the lineage of David, who was the king of Israel. It is this Joseph who became a carpenter instead of ruling kingdoms and also decided to marry Mary.

Observations:
Character 3: Mary

I asked myself what we can learn about Mary!
1. Mary went to Bethlehem with Joseph to register. (v. 5)

2. Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph. (v. 5)

3. Mary was expecting a child. (v. 5)

4. Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. (v. 7)

5. Mary wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (v. 7)

Interpretations:
Of all the things I learned about Mary from these verses, what stuck out to me was when Mary wrapped the baby in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

I asked myself why it is significant!

Wrapping a baby in cloths is normal so there is nothing significant about it. However, placing him in a manger becomes significant and I wanted to know more about it.

According to Easton’s 1897 Bible dictionary, a manger in Luke 2:7 is the name (Gr. phatne, rendered "stall" in Luke 13:15) given to the place where the infant Redeemer was laid. It seems to have been a stall or crib for feeding cattle. Stables and mangers in our modern sense were in ancient times unknown in the East. The word here properly denotes "the ledge or projection in the end of the room used as a stall on which the hay or other food of the animals of travellers was placed."

Rather than having a comfortable place for the baby to be laid, He was laid in a manger because no one would give them room in the inn. No family was willing to open their hearts to Mary and Joseph so their child could be born in the inn. Even after the baby was born, there was no room in the inn for Him to be placed.

Instead, the baby was surrounded by Joseph, Mary and the animals that were in the stable. Jesus’ birth was celebrated in front of stable animals. The baby’s birth began with humble beginnings being born in a stable and being laid in a manger.

A manger was used for the livestock to be fed from in the stable. Symbolically, having the baby being placed in a manger makes so much sense if we know what child is this that is laid to rest! The importance of this child is emphasized in Luke 1:26-38 as we learn more about Mary, Joseph, David and the implications of Mary’s actions for our own lives.

You can read about the devotional I had regarding Luke 1:26-28 by clicking on the link P.R.E.S.E.N.C.E

"Mary was greatly troubled at his [angels] words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:29)

Observations/Interpretations:
When the angel spoke to Mary, she did not response outwardly but was going through inner turmoil. We learn two things about Mary here:

1. She was troubled!

2. She wondered what kind of greeting this was!

It is interesting what follows. Mary did not speak to the angel but the angel already knew what Mary was going through. It is as if the angel read Mary's thoughts and responded. It can be exciting when we realize angels are messengers from God doing God's work. Naturally, God can let an angel know someone's thoughts if He wanted to.

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30-33, NIV)

The baby being placed in a manger was Jesus. To read the devotional, I had regarding Luke 1:30-33, click on the link K.I.N.G.D.O.M. To read the devotional, I had regarding Luke 1:34-38, click on the link D.O.U.B.T.S

Going back to the symbolism of the manger, we know a manger was used for the animals in the stable to feed from. When Mary placed Jesus in a manger, it was symbolic of what we all need to feed upon. We need to feed upon Jesus Christ figuratively. Our nourishment can come from Jesus. Jesus is the Bread of Life!

I ask you now dear friend, will you feed upon Jesus this Christmas season?

Dear friend, Jesus loves you so much no matter what you are going through and came to give you new life. Yes, He did! No matter where you have been or what you have done, you can have new life in Christ!

Yes, you can!

This Christmas season and forever, won’t you feed upon Jesus?

Jesus wants to be your nourishment and gives you His Word to feed upon and be spiritually healthy. You can spend time with Jesus and He waits to spend time with you. He waits to have a personal relationship with you. Jesus came to be your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!

I would like to share with you a poem I wrote called Bible Academy IV: Names of Jesus! May it uplift you and build you up! Amen!

Bible Academy's Instructor is the Prince of Peace
Who teaches his students, the value of peace
When we learn from Him, our lives will be full of peace
Wherever we are, whatever trials we face!
Why? His Peace He gives you surpasses all understanding
What are the trials you face? Turn to the Prince of Peace.
JN 14:27, ROM 5:1, 1 COR 1:3, PHIL 4:7

Bible Academy's Instructor is our caring Counselor.
Who is there for us always to counsel us and fill us with love!
When we turn to Him, He will soothe all our worries.
Wherever there is trouble in you life, He will be there for you!
Why? His personality's counseling troubled souls.
Whatever your problems are, Spiritual, etc He will counsel you.
PSALM 23, MK 10:21, JN 14:1, PSALM 37:7

Bible Academy's Instructor is our Mighty God!
Who's mightier than our problems, filling us with Spiritual might!
When we depend on Him, no situation will be impossible.
Wherever you are headed no need to fear for God's might shall protect.
Why? Because He wants to instruct you on the best pathway of life.
Whatever you are faced with, Put your faith in the Lord.
JN 6:18-19, MK 9:23, PSALM 32:8, MK 4:30-32

Bible Academy's Instructor is our Everlasting Father.
Who will always care for us, who we can pray to anytime!
When we seek Him with our whole Heart, void in us will be filled.
Wherever we have been, we can have new life with God, our Loving Father.
Why? Because He loves us so much, He wants what is best for us.
Whatever is asked in prayer you will get according to His Loving will!
MT 6:31-34, MT 7:7-8, ROM 6:3-11, GAL 2:11

Bible Academy's Instructor is so awesome and Wonderful.
Who takes all our burdens and cares upon Himself.
When we surrender our lives to Him, we can see His miracles.
Wherever there is sorrow, He can fill it with such joy.
Why, because even in our sorrow, He has a plan for our life.
Whatever your pain, sorrow is, His Joy lies ahead.
PSALM 37:5, PSALM 73:23-25, JERMIAH 29:11, MT 11:27:30

“ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ”- Isaiah 9:6

May you draw closer to Jesus if you already know Him as your Lord and Personal Savior this Christmas season and if you don’t know Him as your Lord and Personal Savior, you can begin the journey now! What better Christmas gift to give Jesus than the surrender of your life to Him!

Follow Enthusiastically Emmanuel Daily! (F.E.E.D)/”Will you feed upon Jesus this Christmas season?”

You can pray this prayer with me to offer yourself to Jesus!

Dear Jesus, thank you for being born in Bethlehem in a stable. You had a humble beginning even though you are the King of kings and Lord of lords. I am so sorry for my sins and confess all of them to you. Please Jesus forgive me of my sin and set me free from any bondage I am in. I turn myself over to you and offer myself as a present to you this Christmas Day. Thank you for dying for my sin and coming back to life to save me. I do not know all I want to know about you but I want to start my journey with you and learn from you as I feed upon you and draw my nourishment from you. Help me please Jesus. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for saving us and being there for us. Please come Jesus into my heart and make my heart your home. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and I will serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Help me in my journey with you Oh Lord. Thank you Jesus! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of Luke and learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind!

Love in Christ,
Ramesh