Is There Room?

Posted by Christian St John in Faithblogs | 2 comments

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 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 cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:1-7

One of the significant parts of the Nativity story is that when Mary and Joseph reached Bethlehem they could find no place to stay; they tried the Inn only to be told that there was no room. Then, when things are looking their bleakest they are offered shelter in a stable – probably a cave where the animals were kept. Not the most prestigious setting for the birth of the King of kings, but that was the point.

People complain that they want a God who knows what it is to be human, to understand our everyday 24/7 plight. Well Jesus not only knows this he also knows what it is to be a King and be a servant – He gave up Heaven and all of it’s abundance to come here and live among us with nothing. And while he was here He didn’t work for stuff and power and recognition and fame, which he could have had in abundance if He so chose. No, He lived with the people and for the people. He wanted them to see Him not as someone who would lord it over the people but as a man who cares and a God who loves.

And it all began in the lowest of places, the dirty animal stable.

The Nativity… a staple in the Christian calendar. But is it? With all of the stuff that we do at this time of year do we really have room or time in our hearts for the story of the Nativity? I find that sometimes I forget the importance of that night so many years ago when the Lord of creation, the King of kings, arrived in this world, took His first breath, and looked for the first time through human eyes. And I wonder what His earthly parents thought the first time they looked into the eyes of God.

This year let us take the time to remember that little baby. Give thought to the many miracles that unfolded in the Christmas story – the virgin birth, the grace that was shown throughout the story (both Mary and Joseph displayed an uncanny amount of grace… no wonder they were the chosen ones to become the parents of Jesus), and all the fulfilled prophecies concerning the birth of the messiah. But most of all remember that a Father gave up His Son by sending Him to live among us and spare a thought for all that Jesus gave up to come here and live among us.

Christmas is a time of miracles, but is there room in the “inn” of your heart for them… and for the ultimate miracle, Jesus?

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
December, 2009