"No Room For Jesus?"
Christmas season is here. Christmas songs tell us it is "the most wonderful time of the year." For Christians everywhere, the reason this is the most wonderful time of the year is that Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Father sent His only Son to earth in the form of a human body knowing fully that His Son would have to suffer ridicule, torture, and death of a most gruesome kind, crucifixion on a cross. It’s because of Jesus’ death that we are free from the bondage of sin. Jesus took our place and suffered the penalty of death which was rightfully ours. What Jesus has done for us is our greatest gift this Christmas - the Gift of a Transformed Life. Second Corithians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone. A new life has begun!" This is the title of the Advent sermon series we are doing this Christmas (The Gift of a Transformed Life). I hope you will all make the effort to be there each Sunday this Advent to see how God wants to give each of us the gift a transformed life this Christmas.
But for many of us, opportunities to reflect, meditate and praise God for this ultimate Christmas gift is lost. It’s lost in the hustle and bustle. It’s lost in fighting crowds at the mall. It’s lost in getting ready for Christmas parties. It’s lost in studying for final exams before the holiday break. It’s lost in getting the house decorated and prepared for guests coming to town.
The Gospel of Luke tells us that just before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were on their way to Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus had issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. Everyone was required to go to their home town to register. When Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem, all they found were "no vacancy" signs. All that was available was a stable. Luke 2:7 says, "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 at the inn." The Son of God is about to be born into this world and there was no room for them to stay in Bethlehem. What is going on here? Can you imagine a more absurd situation? The most elegant room in Jerusalem should have been reserved for the birth of the Son of God but instead he is born in a smelly stable, laid in a manger (an animal feeder), in the little insignificant town of Bethlehem!
Two lessons for us to learn here: First, Jesus humbled himself. He was not interested in being born in the grandest room in Jerusalem. A stable in Bethlehem suited him fine. Why? Because Jesus was trying to teach us that He’s not interested in flashing lights and extravagance. He’s interested in a humble heart that is moldable and usable by Him for His purposes. An important lesson to learn when we find ourselves caught up in the glitz of an American Christmas.
Second, there was no room for Jesus in Bethlehem. Is there room for Jesus in your Christmas Season this year? God isn’t so interested in all the decorations, treats, parties, etc. He’s not impressed with how ragged you can run yourself the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. He wants you to take time to contemplate, meditate, thank and praise Him for what Christmas is all about—our Lord Jesus Christ coming to earth to save us from our sins and transform our lives. Make sure there is room in your heart for Jesus this Christmas!