A Christian Christmas story

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Merry Christmas! Renee and I pray that your Christmas will be blessed and filled with the love of God overflowing to you and through you and your loved ones! ~ Pastor Tim and Renee. I will be back to writing on January 3rd.

Part Two: “The Feeding Trough” by Pastor Tim Burt

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV): “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Just think: Jesus was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a manager—an animal feeding trough. I hope you understand how significant this is! It is because feeding is such an essential part of God’s plan. Jesus was laid in the trough. Feed is what is usually in the trough. Jesus, who laid in the feeding trough, would become the one who would eternally and continuously feed us—to the degree we would seek Him through His Word.

As Jesus walked out of His earthly ministry, His teachings would bring the listeners who were hungry for God the desired revelation and insight into God and His plan for man. And it would be the feeding of His Word that would bring the souls of mankind a true joy and peace such as they had never felt before.

We see more concerning this thought of God feeding us in John 6:35 (NIV): “Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

We read more in John 6:31-35 (NKJV): “Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He (Jesus) who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” As God planned, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means The House of Bread.

Jesus said that we would live not just by natural bread but by His Words. “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4 (NKJV)

As you think about Christmas, remember Jesus in the manager—in the feeding trough! Let that remind you that He came into this world to feed us His truth. He came to set us free from our fears and insecurities of being consumed by His wrath. He came to give us a new and everlasting assurance of His love—that He would always be with us! He came to give us His insight and instruction for living. He came so that we could live uprightly and blessed as overcomers over the trials and tribulations this sin-tainted world tries to destroy our life and faith with!

This is what Joseph and Mary did. With faith in God’s promises and by His grace, they walked out each moment step by step and day by day. Their lives were marked with the reassurance of His love, including signs and wonders, as they lived by faith and trust in Him. That faith and trust were fueled by His word—Jesus, the Word that was first placed in the manager—the feeding trough! We pray that in 2024, you’ll develop a hunger for God’s word like no other year in your past! We know He’ll speak to you and transform you! God bless you!

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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