THE DAY

I Was Just Thinking About – THE DAY.

Christmas morning –a day that will be marked by gleeful children, a mess as carefully wrapped gifts are torn into, busy households and a family meal around the dining table. All of this is a great time for happy reunions with family and friends.

But – one night long ago in a busy little town of Bethlehem, people were scurrying to find places of refuge so they would be able to meet with the tax collectors. One couple – Mary (who was pregnant) and Joseph - arrived and were too late to find any place of refuge available. The inn-keeper allowed they could have a place in the stable. They took it. It wasn’t too long before that stable become more of a throne room of heaven. I love the summary given in Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT), “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” Jesus Christ manifested God’s great love (John 3:16) and came to redeem His own (John 3:17).

After being startled by an angel, Shepherds would leave their flocks at night to see for themselves this great event they had been told about. Angel Choirs would burst into song because the Savior was born. Wise men would journey a great distance to see this child. The King would later issue a purge of all male children under the age of two so there would be no king-rival to him.

Emily E. Elliot (1864) penned the beautiful words of:

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

      Refrain:

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

The crowded and commercialized world does not have too much time or room to celebrate the occasion marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Weary and over-spent, it is more of a necessary festivity than a time for worship and offering gratitude to God that He loved us so much that He gave us His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life in Him. Have you made room in your heart and life for Him? Does Jesus reign there as your Ruler and King? He is there for you! Just reach out by faith and receive Him - God's Gift to you - today.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.