• About
  • Books
  • One Word
    • One Word
    • Shop One Word Cards
  • Cousin Camp
  • Speaking
  • Audio
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

  • Character
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Seasons
  • Marriage
  • Parenting
  • Cousin Camp
  • Ask Susan

He’s More Than a Baby in a Manger: Jesus, Our Living God

by Susan Alexander Yates

“Behold I bring you GOOD news of GREAT joy…”

These familiar words from the angels to the shepherds are pronounced and sung all over the world in many languages every year at Christmas. They are familiar, wonderful, and hopeful.

Christmas angel figure in a dark window next to a candle

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash.

But perhaps we need to dig a little deeper.

Recently John and I led a group of members of the Falls Church Anglican and friends on a pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.  We are so thankful for the many people who prayed for us. One of our prayers was for each person on the trip to experience God in new ways–special insights tailor-made for them.

There were several that were meaningful to me but one in particular stands out for me during this Christmas season.

We visited the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi, located 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee at the base of Mt. Hermon. Situated on the top of an enormous rock, the headwaters of the Jordan River flow from here.

In the time of the Greek control, pagan worship was rampant in this area. The Greek God Pan was believed to have been birthed in the large grotto. During the Roman Empire, Herod the Great built a temple here further enhancing its reputation for pagan worship. Even during the time of Christ this site was still known for its pagan worship. Sacrifices were thrown into this cave. 

cave at Caesarea Philippi

One of the photos from my trip of the cave at Caesarea Philippi

Isn’t it interesting to note that Jesus chose to come into this horrific place. It was here that He asked his disciples, 

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered,

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16: 13-16)

Why was this one word, living, so significant? So Eternal?

There were many gods being worshipped in this place. Caesar Himself was often referred to as the “son of god.” (This was new for me.) 

So, when Peter exclaimed LIVING, He was emphasizing the other gods were dead, powerless. For no other god is living. From Pan to Caesar to Mohammed to Buddha they are all dead, impotent. Every other religion depends upon man’s performance. 

Peter’s statement has profound ramifications for everyone.

This proclamation touched me in new ways.

 * I thought about how Jesus comes to really hard places (this evil place in Caesarea!), perhaps more than beautiful, bucolic, peaceful places. He comes to the painful broken places in our lives and chooses to proclaim His power and authority there. 

 * I was convicted of how easy it is for me to look to false gods (idols) to bring me joy and peace–idols like health, right relationships, successes, stuff, etc., none of which will satisfy, all of which will disappear. I can easily become like the early pagans. 

 * I was reminded that my God is living right at this moment, the only LIVING God. He is all-powerful. He alone has the power to forgive me and to wash me clean. 

He alone will never leave me. (Hebrews 13:15). 

“Nothing is impossible for him.” (Luke 1:37)

 * In a world of so much suffering, evil and pain, it’s hard not to live in daily discouragement. Contemplating Peter’s announcement alongside the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds, I have been encouraged not to neglect (forget) joy in the midst of a broken world. 

Jesus (Immanuel) is more than a baby born in a manger. He is the living God birthed by a humble girl to be God-made-man. And the Savior of all mankind. 

Behold I bring you GOOD news of GREAT JOY for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) 

Thank you, Father, for this GREAT news which brings us GREAT JOY!

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print
Share
Share
Pin
Text

You may also enjoy...

Faith
December 14, 2022 · 1 Comment

« You Don’t Need to “Play God”: Reminders from the Christmas Story
Why Thank-You Notes Matter »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Susan Fertig-Dykes says

    December 15, 2022 at 11:38 am

    Susan, I loved this account of the cave at Cesarea Philippi–it was so powerful! I loved the adventure of going to Israel with you and John, and with all the meaningful things about the trip. It did give me new eyes to see, new ears to hear, and I am so very grateful!

    Reply

Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

Read more…

Recent Posts

  • Good News: Growing as a Christian is Not About Trying Harder
  • Why Thank-You Notes Matter
  • He’s More Than a Baby in a Manger: Jesus, Our Living God
  • You Don’t Need to “Play God”: Reminders from the Christmas Story
  • How to Transform Your Thanksgiving This Year With Outrageous Gratitude

One Word

One Word: Sufficient

Featured Books

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy now!

One Devotional: One Word, One Verse, One Thought for One Hundred Days

One Devotional: One Word, One Verse, One Thought for One Hundred Days
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
One Devotional: One Word, One Verse, One Thought for One Hundred Days
Buy now!
  • Certainty In Christ
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Index

Search

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy now!

Popular

  • How Do You Do It? (Questions for a Mom of Quads)
  • Teenagers Rule at Family Camp: Messy, Crazy, and Oh…
  • Is Resentment or Bitterness Building in Your…

In the bleak midwinter everything is . . . bleak. In the bleak midwinter everything is . . . bleak. But underneath the gloom God is preparing a beautiful garden which will burst forth at just the right time (swipe right!). God is working while we are waiting.
One Word: Everlasting Arms One Verse: “The e One Word:  Everlasting Arms
 
One Verse:

“The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
and said, ‘Destroy.“ (Deuteronomy 33:27)

One Thought:

God I love it that you gave your children simple pictures to understand complicated truths. Thank you for your everlasting arms that are under me, under _____ right at this moment. Place this picture in the front of my mind as I live this day.
Did you know that we can't succeed at spiritual gr Did you know that we can't succeed at spiritual growth on our own? We can't just grit our teeth and make ourselves more like Christ? ⁣
⁣
This was a surprising lesson for me as a new believer!⁣
⁣
Read about it in my devotional on @club31women this week. Link in bio, or go to club31women.com/devotional/
One Word: Broken One Verse: And he took bread, One Word: Broken
 
One Verse:

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

One Thought:

There is so much brokenness in our world. I am broken. So is _____. One thing all humans have in common is our brokenness. Jesus, you are intimately familiar with brokenness. Your body was broken for me, for _____. You understand the pain of brokenness but it is in your brokenness that we can begin to experience wholeness.
Recently I’ve been thinking about a new personal Recently I’ve been thinking about a new personal discipline I want to adopt in this new year. I want to do one thing every day for someone else. It’s a practical application for loving our neighbors as ourselves. It also enables us to get our focus off our selves and onto someone else and this brings us joy. It might be a text or email or postcard or call or cookies left on someone’s front door. This joy of giving fills our cup. It’s also a great thing to involve your whole family in. It helps our kids learn to be other-centered rather than self-centered. Two special friends just sent me these flowers and they have brought me great great joy. Thank you for choosing to bless me. I have learned from your generosity.
One Word: Mystery One Verse: “To them God ch One Word: Mystery 
 
One Verse:

“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
 
One Thought:

You are a God of mystery. It’s a glorious mystery. I can’t explain you even though sometimes I want to. Your mystery is part of what makes you so much greater than man. Thank you that you, with all of your glorious mystery, have chosen to dwell in me.
It’s so much fun to give away some of our old tr It’s so much fun to give away some of our old treasures! I just gave my old Girl Scout badge sash to my young friend Helen, who is a Girl Scout. It brought both of us so much joy and reminded me of how special it is to give things away. I  highly recommend it.

#girlscout #girlscouts
I received this pic and note from one of my nieces I received this pic and note from one of my nieces last week:⁣
⁣
'Your post on thank you notes this morning validated all of my efforts this week!! Look what's sitting on my kitchen counter. Only one more child to go!  Thank you for the good reminder of why we do this!'⁣
⁣
Have your kids gotten their notes done?⁣
⁣
I know it's work to get our children to write thank-you notes, but it's so important! Check out my blog this week for the reasons behind this and some ideas to help make it happen.⁣
⁣
Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com.
One Word: Shows ⁣ ⁣ One Verse:⁣ ⁣ “But G One Word: Shows ⁣
⁣
One Verse:⁣
⁣
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8⁣
⁣
 One Thought:⁣
⁣
If you, God Almighty, would send your Son to die for me in my own wickedness, then how much more will you show me how to make the decision I need to make.⁣
⁣
⁣
#oneword #onewordcards #christianwomen #christianfaith #bedeeplyrooted #womenintheword #shereadstruth #womenoftheword #belovedlife #womenoffaith #gritandvirtue #choosejoy #lampandlight #biblestudy #shepaintstruth #bibleverse #bibleverses #bibleverseoftheday #scriptureoftheday #scriptureart #bibleverseart #dailyverse #dailydevo #dailydevotion #dailydevotional #dailydevotionals #verseoftheday #biblequotes #illustratedfaith #scripture

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

FREE Ebook: 100 Activities for Your Kids!

I have a gift for you! Camp at Home includes 100 things for you to do with your kids of different ages, from toddlers to teens.
Join my email list now to get Camp at Home for FREE!