December to Remember Day 15

Outstretched

And this will be a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.  --Luke 2:12

As if you haven't noticed by now, I love to dig up meanings to words.  There are so many gems hidden within the common verses we often read over without much thought.  Digging out those gems makes me ponder the depth of what He has written and left for us to know.  There is something new to be learned everyday if we refuse the familiar and search for the new.  Upon discovery of a hidden gem, I feel just like the young lady in the picture above.  I feel like I could just outstretch my arms, throw back my head and bask in the One who created me, wants to know me, and wants me to know Him.

It's just marvelous.

Today's hidden gem for me is the word "lying".  Our familiarity races over this word and we envision a little sweet infant wrapped snuggly in white, sleeping peacefully on a bed of straw.  Lying comes from the word keimai and it does mean to lie. 

But - it also means outstretched. 

It also means to be appointed. 

Ironically, or maybe not so ironically, when I think of Jesus, the image that comes to mind is just that....

With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, For HIs lovingkindness is everlasting.  -- Psalms 136:12

The babe lying in a manger was appointed to be outstretched on the cross for you and for me.

Your 15th gift this December to Remember, Outstretched Arms.

God, with arms wide open you wait for me to run into them.  With arms wide open your Son died for me.  Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the gift of outstretched arms.