Merry Christmas! Joyous New Year! And a blessed Epiphany!

As the Advent season comes to the end, we joyfully celebrate the gift of the Christ child born in Bethlehem as foretold by the prophets of old. God’s Word of hope and redemption was fulfilled in the “Immanuel” (God with us), the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth! Our Sunday School children presented this Good News of great joy in their Christmas pageant: “Stranger in the Manger”. For most of us, it’s a beloved and familiar account of the birth of Jesus, God’s promised Messiah. But it truly is a strange story of the birth of the Savior of all people. Think of it—the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born of a humble virgin in a cattle stall! This long awaited Messiah was then laid in a feeding manger for a bed. Shepherds came to see Him after being told of His birth by a host of angels. Later, Magi from the East would come and worship Him. What a strange series of events around the birth of God’s Son!

A “Stranger in the Manger” from heaven above has come to redeem His people from their sin. This truth is stranger than fiction! The Word has become flesh and we have seen His glory, full of grace and truth! Stranger still, He has come to give His life as the ransom for the sins of you and I and all undeserving mankind! Joy to the world for the “Stranger in the Manger!

~ Pastor Dennis Krueger