HAPPY NEW YEAR

 “Mary…wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger.” –Luke 2:7

Over the past few weeks, this verse from Luke kept running through my mind. Of course, it is not unusual to hear about the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season. But each time I read it, something more stood out. Now, I know you are going to ask…what more could there be? It’s the story of Jesus’ birth.

Mary wrapped Him tightly in a blanket and laid Him in his bed. She used the swaddling technique to soothe her newborn, provide a sense of security and keep him from being startled by the activity in the stable.

As I sat in church this morning, the pastor shared Matthew 11:28. And, as he read that scripture the message of comfort became clear to me. “Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Our Savior came to comfort us just as Mary did for Him as a baby in that stable.

In a few hours, we will enter a new year. As we do, we can choose to take our burdens with us and allow them to consume us. Or we can allow Jesus to cover us with His love and give us a hope and peace for the future.

My prayer is that, in the new year, you will allow yourself to be swaddled by His love and find an abundance of comfort only He can provide.

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