Luke 2:7
“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.”
Have you ever received an urgent phone call with someone on the other end in a crisis and needing your help? What would you do if you were in this situation?
Let’s look at the Innkeeper in Luke 2 and his response to the frantic knock on his door over 2000 years ago.
Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem and desperately searching for a room to give birth to their baby “the Son of God”. Joseph quickly moves from place to place asking for one room for his family for the night to be safe and warm but there was no room for them.
The Innkeeper had the opportunity to supply the room for the Savior of the world but he missed Christmas.
The Innkeeper reminded me of our oldest son’s lead role in a Christmas Church Musical years ago when he was only in the third grade. The Musical’s setting was a small western town in the 1880’s and was titled “Christmas Comes to Lone Star Gulch.” In this production the grumpy storekeeper isn’t concerned about taking care of others or himself. He is living life from day to day. Most of all, he doesn’t see the need for Christmas because he is too busy and uninterested. He missed the whole concept of Christmas even though he was surrounded by the message and the kindness of the community. One night a stranger passing through the town (who couldn’t take care of their newborn baby) dropped their baby off in a basket on the front porch of the Mr. Johnson’s store. After spending time thinking about his decision the Storekeeper decides to take the baby in and the town happily helps him take care of the baby. The child begins to change him from the inside out. Day by day he begins to understand and experience a changed heart of giving and receiving. Now he knows in his heart the real meaning of Christmas
Like Storekeeper Johnson, the Innkeeper in the Bible has also missed the Christmas Gift in the baby Jesus. The Innkeeper was too busy and distracted with what was happening around him to notice the miracle in his stable.
Most Americans today have too much on their plate and too little time to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas due to emails, texts, decorations and shopping.
What is distracting you? What has captured all of your attention?
What would it take to make a change in your focus?
This Christmas can be different for you and I if we choose to focus on the simple fact that Jesus is the only reason for the season.
Daily Application:
Day 1: Make Jesus the center of your focus today and everyday for Christmas. Place a manger scene in the center of your Christmas Decorations.
Day 2: Read Luke 2:7. There was no room in the inn for Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Decide today to make permanent room for the Savior in your life.
Day 3: This is a perfect time to dedicate every room in your house to Jesus. Walk into each room today and pray for Jesus to be present. Make room for Jesus.
Day 4: Is there anything you need to let go of to make room for Jesus and others in your life?
Day 5: Is Jesus out in the stable of your life or is he inside the center of your heart? Now is the time to change where Jesus is in your life. Seek Him today.
Day 6: In order to place Jesus in the center of your life you will have to get rid of the things that are there right now. Warning: this is not easy but it is life saving. The world does not like it when you place Jesus in the center of your life but you and the world will see the difference and the JOY!
Day 7: Worship the Lord with thanksgiving and JOY today in a Bible believing Church as a form of celebration to God!
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