The Crib Is Empty

“Lord, please don’t let me miss it. Show me something new and even more beautiful about your Son’s birth this year.” Right after Thanksgiving, I whispered that simple prayer to my Father regarding the upcoming holiday season. I wanted to be more focused on the fullness of the Christmas season. I wanted to see it in a fresh new light. I wanted to go deeper into the Word and glean things I had missed before even after the countless times I had read the story of my Savior’s birth.

My Father has answered that prayer over and over again the past few weeks in December. What richness he has shown me. I wrote about some of those things. If you missed the stories, you can go back and read ‘A Gift for Jesus’ and ‘When God Chooses a Donkey.’

Last week, on Christmas Eve morning, I once again pondered the sequence of events in the Christmas story. Suddenly, my thoughts flashed to a picture of the nativity scene. Joseph and Mary as brand new inexperienced parents. The sheep and cattle perhaps wondering what these humans were doing occupying their barn space. The shepherds with eyes opened wide in awe of the sight before them. A newborn baby who was anything but ordinary. The Gift of God himself wrapped in human flesh! I do not think any person can truly wrap his or her mind about the scene that took place that holy night in an obscure and small town called Bethlehem.

Then it happened. As I sat there reflecting the miraculous birth of Christ, these words dropped deep into my spirit and into my heart.

“THE CRIB IS EMPTY!”

It was a “God wink “moment no doubt! I was stunned for a moment because of these words but I knew God was showing me something beautiful once again. The simple statement impacted me in a whole new way. I found myself repeating the words in excitement. “The crib is empty!”

At that moment I realized this truth in a deeper way which stirred up my faith as well as my gratitude for the Gift above all gifts!

Yes, the crib is empty because Jesus is no longer a helpless babe. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is ruling with his Father in heaven. But here is the best part. He is coming back, perhaps sooner than any of us realize. And in case you do not know this, he is not coming as a fragile infant but as a mighty warrior King. Jesus IS the King of kings!

Friends I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas but I know that some of you reading this felt little to no joy this season for reasons that are too long to list here. I am sorry and my heart goes out to you. I have been in your shoes in the past. But listen closely to what I have to say. Christmas was only the beginning of a story that continues to unfold. God has written an amazing grand finale. The ending of this story is beyond our wildest expectations. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord! I repeat, Jesus is coming back.

We often hear that Jesus is the reason for the season. I would have to add that Jesus is the reason for EVERYTHING and he is enough. Jesus was enough for Mary and Joseph that Christmas night. He was enough for the poor humble shepherds. And when the rich wise kings eventually found him, he was enough for them as well. Jesus is enough for me and he can be enough for you. Whatever has happened in your past is in the past. You can look to a future secure in God’s promises if you truly know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

So rejoice in Christ’s birth, my friends. But shout hallelujah because the best is yet to come! Yes, indeed…the crib is empty!

Happy New Year my friends.

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” ~ 1 Cor 2:9 NKJV

PS: I have one very important question to ask before I end this post. Do you know Jesus? A great number of my readers understand what it means to know Jesus as Lord and Savior in their lives. But perhaps you have come across this post through an internet search. Or perhaps someone has shared this blog post with you. Either way, you have not read this message by chance. My friend, if you have never given your life to Jesus, this is your chance for a fresh new beginning. A New Year is just hours away. What better time than now to put your past behind you and let God begin to do some amazing things in your life! Please click here to learn more about living your life for God. It will be the best decision you will ever make.

Note: This blog post was written by Rosie Williams and first appeared on Nuggets from the Heart. This blog post, either in part or in its entirety, may not be copied, duplicated, edited or appear in any other publication without the written approval or permission from the author. For full copyright and disclosure information, click here. For questions regarding the use of this blog post, you may send an email to Rosie Williams by clicking here.