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 clothes and place him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7 NIV
One can almost envision Linus Van Pelt, walking out on to the school stage where he recited these verses to Charlie Brown, near the end of the animated show, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." If you have not seen it, try to, it is a show where Charlie Brown, of the peanuts gang, created by Charles Schultz, learns the meaning of Christmas. He learns that Christmas' meaning is not wrapped up in glitter and general celebration, but rather in the birth of a child, Jesus, some 2,000 years ago.
The words of today's passage all point to God's plan. The time came for Mary to give birth, it was not Mary's time, but rather the time in God's plan for Mary to give birth. His bed was not fancy, but rather a manger. This manger probably was made out of rock, for animals tend to eat wet wood. Being in a manger reflects a His humble beginning. Jesus came for all from the least to the greatest.
No room in the inn. Think of our lives, how crowded they are. People do not speak of a single priority, but rather many priorities. Draw an analogy between an inn and our lives. Jesus was in the manger, in the stable, for there was no room in the inn. Do we have room, or how do we make room for Jesus in our inn/lives? Is there room for Jesus in our homes, at work, in school, at play, or as we come and go.
Remember, God tasked the Israelites to keep His Word on their lips, hearts, and minds as they woke up, ate, and as they came and went from here to there. Jesus, the incarnation of God's Word, should today be kept on our lips, minds, and hearts on a moment by moment basis.
How can a person make room for Jesus in life?
How do you make room for Jesus in your life?
Pray for room to open up in your life for bible study, church, service and fellowship.
In Christ,
David P
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