SWADDLING CLOTHES!

 

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

 

SWADDLING CLOTHES!

 

Luke 2:7

7 And she 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 2:8-12

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

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

 

          For most of my life I have wondered just what swaddling clothes were. No one seemed to know. It was just a part of the lovely Christmas story that seemed to be taken for granted. I thought it might be some crude diaper because all babies do what all babies do! At other times I was convinced swaddling clothes referred to some kind of blanket. In the play/movie “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, one of the Herndon kids called them “wadded up clothes.” In any case the word “swaddle” did not seem to be a noun but an adjective. Swaddle was something a mother did to or for her baby and not just a thing. Nelson’s Bible Dictionary gives us some insight.

 

SWADDLING BAND

A long, narrow strip of cloth used to wrap a newborn baby. To swaddle a child was to wrap an infant in strips of cloth, much like narrow bandages. This was believed to ensure the correct early development of the limbs. Thus, swaddling was a mark of parental love and care, while the need for swaddling symbolized the humble, dependent position of the newborn child.

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

 

          In all the crowd of strangers in Bethlehem how would the startled shepherds recognize the newborn Savior? The angel of the Lord gave two clues to the baby’s true identity. First, he would be tightly wrapped in strips of cloth. This was a common practice of new mothers who loved their children. Second, he would be lying in a manger. Mary and Joseph provided what they could for their son and his first cradle may have been a feeding trough carved into a block of limestone for such is the scene under the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. But Mary had torn strips of cloth either hastily or ahead of time and wrapped her baby snuggly. It was an act of mother love.

 

          Away In a Manger

 

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

 

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

 

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

 

Dear Jesus, swaddle me today and restrict my movements in love. Let me rest in Thee, dependent upon Thee for all my care. AMEN

 

GOD CONTAINED IN A BABY!

 

Monday, December 1, 2025

 

GOD CONTAINED IN A BABY!

 

Phil 2:5-7

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 

          Scholars agree that the phrase “made himself of no reputation” indicates that Jesus divested himself of certain attributes and prerogatives of deity so that he might take on the form of a servant. This process has troubled theologians for many years and will not be finally explained here. The Greek verb used is ekenosen and so the process, among scholars, has come to be known as Kenosis. It would be wrong to assume that Jesus abandoned deity in favor of manhood, but it is clear that certain adjustments had to be made in order to squeeze the godhead into a baby’s frame. This is part of the wonder of Christmas.

 

          Various aspects of the life of Christ clearly proves that deity did indeed reside in the body of a man. Jesus’ miracles prove his deity. Nicodemus, in John 3, said: “no man can do these miracles except God be with him.” He was very close to the truth. Not only was God with Jesus but God had taken up residence in man. Perhaps the most revealing account of deity in humanity was what we call the transfiguration. Both Matthew and Mark give a written account of it.

 

Mark 9:2-6

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

 

          A baby is a wonderful thing, and Christmas is the wonder of God in a baby’s frame but we must leave the cradle and proceed to the cross in order to fully understand the purpose of the incarnation. God came down and became obedient to the death of the cross so that he might taste death for every man.

 

Heb 2:9-10

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

 

Dear Jesus, we are in awe of your majesty and glory contained in a baby’s frame. It is too marvelous for us to fully understand. How can we fault Peter’s confusion at the transfiguration when our own minds fail to comprehend such wonder? Thank you for your humiliation on our behalf. AMEN

 

THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY!

 

Saturday, November 29, 2025

 

THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY!

 

1 Cor 13:11-12

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

 

It is believed that mirrors made of metal-backed glass was first produced in Lebanon in the first century AD. The Romans also made crude mirrors from blown glass with lead backings, but the grinding and silvering of glass are modern inventions. Some believe that Paul is not referring to a mirror at all but rather a crude telescope by which one might see beyond the normal range of human vision. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a telescope that could not only improve our vision of things far away but of things in the future?

 

In the strictest sense, Paul was talking about the infancy of revealed truth. The Bible, as we now know it, was, at that time, incomplete and quite scattered among many smaller writings. Scholars had not yet assembled them and sorted them for accuracy and inspiration. There was no Canon! Paul’s understanding was like looking through a distorted glass. Oh, what Paul wouldn’t have given for a copy of one of our Bibles!

 

We are approaching the ending of one year and the beginning of another. We see things without clarity. Our view is distorted by the influence of others. Truth, as it is reported, seems to be a matter of interpretation and opinion. Often, we must choose sides. We see through the glass darkly. The word “darkly” is the Greek words en ‎‎ainigmati‎ which means "In a riddle."

 

Eccl 10:14

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

 

Dear Lord, our eyes fail, and we see distorted images of truth twisted by circumstance and the influence of others who would change truth into something else. Our future is clouded but hopeful because we have a sure Shepherd who knows the way. AMEN

 

GIVING THANKS

 

Thursday, November 27, 2025

 

GIVING THANKS

 

Psa. 116:12-14

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

 

Psa_4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

 

What can I give to a God who owns everything? The verse above suggests two very lovely gifts for any occasion.

 

1. THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!

 

The Hebrew for “righteousness” is tsedeq and means that which is morally and legally right. This is not the righteousness we get FROM God but the moral and legal righteousness we give TO God. It means that God wants me to make right decisions, have right attitudes and that my heart should be right as well.

 

The Psalmist recognizes “doing right” to be a sacrifice, literally “a slaughter.” It indicates that doing right is not natural for fallen man. It requires something from man and limits at least his freedom to do wrong.

 

The whole idea is to slaughter my “right” to self-expression and self-motivation and to do those things that are well pleasing to God. It may require extra effort on my part, or it may require me to lose something I value. I willingly sacrifice those things as part of my gift to God.

 

2. THE GIFT OF TRUST!

 

The word batach which is the basis for “put your trust in the Lord” is not as easily understood. It means to confide in, to flee for refuge, and to rest without suspecting danger. It means to rely so fully in the Lord’s guardianship that I can sleep through a storm. It is, after all, the same kind of trust Jesus placed in the Father.

 

Mark 4:37-40

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

 

Dear Lord, on this Thanksgiving Day, I offer you two gifts that are not easy for me to give up. First, I offer the gift of doing right. Next, I offer my complete trust and confidence in you no matter that the storm that may rage around me. AMEN

 

THANKSGIVING BEGINS IN THE HEART!

 

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

 

THANKSGIVING BEGINS IN THE HEART!

 

Ps 116:12-14

12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord .

14 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

 

Luke 17:12-17

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

 

          The word “render” as it is used in Psalm chapter 116 and verse 12 is the Hebrew word shuwb and literally means “to turn back” with the idea of “returning to the starting point.” This is perfectly illustrated in Luke 17:15 where we find only one of ten lepers returning to give thanks for his healing. Ninety percent displayed no thanks.

 

          The plain fact is that no one can force you to be thankful! You either are thankful, or you are not. Our parents taught us to say a simple table grace. This introduced to our young minds the concept of thanksgiving. If someone were nice to us or gave us candy, mother would always ask: “Now what do we say?” The answer, of course, was “Thank you.” But even mother could not make us truly thankful. She could only teach us the actions of thanksgiving.

 

          When we receive benefits for which we did not have to work, it should make us grateful. However, it is also possible to begin to think of these benefits as entitlements. We think someone else owes us all these things and we become like pouting spoiled children who throw their toys and pick at their food. Good things are greedily gobbled up without thanks.

 

          Thanksgiving always causes us to turn back and sometimes to return to the starting point. We begin to consider our true self-worth and how little we deserve. When we make lists, they are not wish lists but lists of blessings already received. We look around and observe a bounty that is not only sufficient but enough to share. Thankful people are always giving people.

 

          I was born on Thanksgiving Day 1946. It’s true! I have been told that the timing of my arrival interrupted the doctor’s dinner, but this did not make me a thankful person. No, I am thankful because of an event that happened many years before on a lonely hill in Jerusalem. On that hill the Son of God hung on a cross and paid my sin-debt. I didn’t deserve it, and certainly was not entitled to it, but God adopted me into His family because of the sacrifice of His Son. Since that day, because my Father is a great king, I have lived like a prince!

 

Dear Father, you have lavished upon me great gifts and privileges. Lord give me one more thing. Give me a thankful heart. AMEN

 

WAITING LIKE A FARMER!

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

 

Yes, it’s a classic.

 

WAITING LIKE A FARMER!

 

James 5:7-8

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman [farmer] waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

 

          Picture a local coffee shop very early in the morning. One old farmer has just arrived and jingles the bell as he gently closes the door behind him. He is dressed in overalls, flannel shirt, work boots and an oily John Deer cap. He joins a group of other farmers in the corner where two tables have been pushed together. The smell of coffee is in the air. Yonder comes the waitress with a smile and a fresh mug. She doesn’t ask but simply pours the mug full of black steaming brew.

 

          All these men are working! What looks like a lazy interruption of the farmers’ work is actually the hard job of waiting. All these farmers know that once their work is done the rest is up to God. The soil has been plowed, and the seed has been sown. Now they settle down to pray for rain and to exercise patience. God is now actively working because no farmer can control the weather. Too much rain can rot the crop, and too much sun can burn it. An early frost can be devastating. Yes, all these men are working hard at talking, drinking coffee, and waiting.

 

          James pictures the Christian as a spiritual farmer. There are seasons to the spiritual life and sometimes it appears that nothing is being done. This is the season that requires patience. It is a time to repair and sharpen the equipment and to sit with others and hope over a cup of coffee.

 

          Here, then, is the secret to endurance. We need to remember that God is trying to produce a harvest of spiritual fruit in our lives. Seeds of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith” are beginning to sprout in us. Trials and troubles are sometimes needed for the harvest. So, grab a mug of patience, with a side order of hope, and take a seat at the table of waiting.

 

Dear Lord, the signs of harvest are all around us. Help us as we exercise the hard work of patience. AMEN

 

THE BLESSING!

 

Sunday, November 23, 2025

 

The following story is a “Classic” which means you might have seen it before. It is one of my favorites because it really happened to me on a blustery early winter day just before Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy it and that it prompts you to think about the strangers you may meet today.

 

THE BLESSING!

 

Gal 6:10

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 

          My wife and I had gone to Wichita Falls on some business and inevitably we always visit Hobby Lobby and Mardel’s Christian store. The day was blustery with suddenly cold temperatures and freezing rain. While Irene was at Hobby Lobby, I took refuge in Mardel’s and poured myself a cup of free coffee. I was sitting near the front of the store, in a comfortable chair next to the Christmas tree, when I observed a curious thing.

 

          A man entered the store wearing a green parka with the hood pulled up over his head. He was soaked! He carried a black trash bag with mysterious contents. He asked if there was a bathroom and was directed to the back of the store. Then he asked if he could leave his parcel with the clerk near the register. Always accommodating, the clerk told him he could leave his burden with her while he went to the bathroom.

 

          Now, I’m watching all this and thinking that this could be a bomb! Then I dismissed that notion because a bomber would not leave a bomb and then retreat into the building and not from it. While I continued to sip my coffee and ponder, the man returned to retrieve his package.

 

          The clerk offered the man some coffee and he eagerly and gratefully accepted. He walked over to the coffee pot and took a seat next to me. I noticed that he did not fit the homeless model. He was young, clean, and had recently shaved. He had a nice smile and a military haircut. I asked him if he was in the military because Sheppard Air Force base is in Wichita Falls. He answered that he was a Marine. Marines never talk of their service as “former.” I was prompted to speak to him of his salvation, but he said something that stopped me.

 

          He said: “The Lord has been blessing me all day long!” He said this with a smile that nearly glowed. He then told me that he lived in an apartment near Wal-Mart.  I knew that this apartment was a considerable distance to walk and thought I might offer him a ride home. He stopped that thought by saying he had a few stops along the way. There was something about this young man that made you want to help him even though he asked for little.

 

          Then the blessing happened! Another clerk came from the rear of the store with an old golf umbrella. While it was a bit dirty, it was solid. She apologized for its condition and explained that it had been left at the store by a customer. His face lit up with understanding and thanksgiving. I remembered what he had said to me: “The Lord has been blessing me all day long!” Then I thought of a Bible verse …

 

Heb 13:2

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for there by some have entertained angels unawares.

 

Dear Lord, today may bring opportunities to do good and be a blessing. Don’t let me overlook these. AMEN