Luke 2:7 Amplified Bible (AMP) And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.
Christmas is only a couple of days away. The malls and highways will be crowded with the hustle and bustle of last minute Christmas shopping, looking in stores and even on the internet trying to find that perfect gift.
The days will be filled with all kinds of activities=from shopping to office parties and time spent with family and friends. Churches will be having services today and tomorrow and they will see the highest attendance of the year. In some cases it may be difficult to find a seat.
Joseph and Mary were headed to Jerusalem for a census, they faced crowds and the hustle and bustle for a different reason. Unfortunately, Joseph didn't book his room at the inn online, when he arrived there was not a room to be found. They ended up settling down in a stable where Mary gave birth to the Saviour. It was actually a retreat from the hustle and bustle.
Perhaps many of us will be caught up in the hustle and bustle when what we really need will be a retreat, finding some quiet time to relive the Christmas story; To make room amid the chaos of wrapping paper and presents to spend some time in worship and praise of Jesus and experience God's perfect gift. May we take the time to make room in our hearts for Jesus, who came for us.
Spend some time today considering the words of some of the Christmas hymns such as "Joy to the World" and prepare to let your heart make some room. May we be ready when He comes and calls for us.
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
Thy holy nativity.
Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
Thy holy nativity.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
but with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
That should set Thy people free;
but with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee."
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee."
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
When Thou comest and callest for me.
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Luke 2 New Living Translation (NLT) The Birth of Jesus
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
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