Luke 2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
I have been thinking about this little phrase for a while now. My pastor actually preached along these lines sunday morning and i really enjoyed it! Many, many years ago a very pregnant, young lady named Mary and a young man named Joseph needed a place to sleep, they saw an inn. They had traveled a long, exhausting trip from Nazareth to come to Bethlehem to pay taxes. Think about it...they didn't hop in their nice SUV and back out of the drive way and travel for just a few hours. Im sure they either had a donkey or camel that Mary rode on and Joseph led the way. It took close to a week to get to Bethlehem. I've never ridden on a donkey or camel but I can imagine it wouldn't be comfortable especially riding it for days. I complain when we travel just a few hours and we have it a whole lot better than they did. They weren't going on vacation or to see family but to pay taxes...that would make the trip even less delightful.
They finally made it to Bethlehem and were worn out. Mary was close to having Jesus and she needed a place to rest. Joseph searched for an inn. They find one and I'm sure they were excited about getting a place to sleep. Sadly the inn keeper had no room.
I am sure the inn keeper had heard of the coming baby Jesus, but he had no room for him. I feel like I am this way a lot of times in my life. I wonder why he turned them away. Maybe he was too busy, or was too worried about what others might think. Maybe he was afraid it might upset the other guests in the inn. Maybe he really had no room. Either way he said no, and our Savior was later born in a stable with dirty animals, Mary had no bed to lay him in so she placed him in a manger. A manger that held the animals food. The Son of God was born in the lowest place...as I wrote the other day I am amazed at his humility!
I am sure the inn keeper had heard of the coming baby Jesus, but he had no room for him. I feel like I am this way a lot of times in my life. I wonder why he turned them away. Maybe he was too busy, or was too worried about what others might think. Maybe he was afraid it might upset the other guests in the inn. Maybe he really had no room. Either way he said no, and our Savior was later born in a stable with dirty animals, Mary had no bed to lay him in so she placed him in a manger. A manger that held the animals food. The Son of God was born in the lowest place...as I wrote the other day I am amazed at his humility!
My pastor said something I'd never thought about...why didn't the inn keeper give up his own room? Why are we so unloving toward the needy? it was only for one night. If someone needed your room or help would you give it? would you really give the clothes off your back? Mary needed a room a whole lot more than the inn keeper did! But he didn't have room and on top of that he didn't make room.
-Manger means "a trough or open box in a stable designed to hold feed or fodder for livestock." (websters dictionary) When I looked up the defintion I read a comment that reminded me that he is the word and the word is our bread. We are to chew and keep chewing what God shows us in his word. The stable was all apart of God's plan...if there had been a room for them I don't think the story of his birth would be as amazing or interesting.
-Manger means "a trough or open box in a stable designed to hold feed or fodder for livestock." (websters dictionary) When I looked up the defintion I read a comment that reminded me that he is the word and the word is our bread. We are to chew and keep chewing what God shows us in his word. The stable was all apart of God's plan...if there had been a room for them I don't think the story of his birth would be as amazing or interesting.
Christmas is about giving gifts not getting. God gave his only Son. Jesus gave his life. Everyday God keeps on giving to us. But what do we give him?
One thing I know i can give Jesus is to make room for him. Take time to spend with him. Christmas is such a busy time of year and it is easy to lose sight of what matters most...Him!
Spend time with him, don't turn him away. If you don't make room for Jesus in your heart...he won't make room for you. If you don't know him you are missing out. He is the best gift ever!!! I've been given a lot in my life but nothing compares to him! Just knowing he is there and cares for me...I wouldn't trade him for anything!❤💛
One thing I know i can give Jesus is to make room for him. Take time to spend with him. Christmas is such a busy time of year and it is easy to lose sight of what matters most...Him!
Spend time with him, don't turn him away. If you don't make room for Jesus in your heart...he won't make room for you. If you don't know him you are missing out. He is the best gift ever!!! I've been given a lot in my life but nothing compares to him! Just knowing he is there and cares for me...I wouldn't trade him for anything!❤💛
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