Movement One

Three movements are brightly burning before us in each of the three verses of the hymn, Away In A Manger.  These will be looked at separately on the following three days. These will be very concise, but filled with faith-inspiring and faith-encouraging thought, which will bring us to personal convictions. We will again be reminded that the Ascension of our Jesus is a fact, compelling and leading us to make bold, unwavering statements about our Lord’s Ascension and how they impact our present living.

In the first movement, Jesus is shown to us on earth.

Jesus is being looked down on by heaven, while He is on earth. Jesus has the stars in the illumined sky looking down upon Him. The placing of Jesus is on the earth.

The stars in the bright sky look down where He lay,

For the stars or the heavens, to look down to where Jesus lay, it is evidence that Jesus has descended. In other words, the mere fact that He lays, or resides below, in this world, is sufficient, convincible proof that there had to have been a descending to earth. There must have been the movement from heaven to earth.

Our first personal move is one of conviction, where we believe that Jesus descended, from heaven, to come to be with us, looking like us. Jesus Himself has told this to people publicly. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6: 38.

Then again, we listen, as He speaks to His disciples. You heard me say, I am going away and I am coming back to you. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. John 14: 28

Ascension reminds us most vividly and clearly, as it burns in our hearts, without destroying us, that Jesus did come down to earth, from heaven above.

We can boldly make this statement therefore. Jesus could have had no ascending, if He did not have a descending.   

You came down from heaven, loving Jesus,

Just to save sinners every one of us,

You knowingly gave up your home on high,

To be tortured, to suffer and to die,

Thank You Lord Jesus for coming to earth,

In You, all can know change, a fresh new birth.

Amen!