HOSPITALITY AT CHRISTMAS

HOSPITALITY AT CHRISTMAS

Jesus existed with God before the beginning of time. For love of us, Jesus was willing to leave the glory of heaven to come to earth to live in human form.  Jesus entered a world unfit for His Royal Presence. 

Before Jesus was born, a census was ordered by a Roman ruler which required each person to return to their city of birth to be counted. Jesus parents returned to Bethlehem along with so many others that the town overcrowded. Jesus was born in an animal shelter, and His cradle was a feeding trough.  The animal shelter was most likely poorly lit and would have smelled strongly of the animals and all that goes with them.

Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea … He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.   And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  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.  (Luke 2:4-7 NLT)

The Christmas story reminds us that we don't have to clean up our lives before we make room for Jesus.  God comes to us in the muck and mire of our daily existence and says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

God’s plan of redemption through Jesus began on that first Christmas.  Jesus came to earth to pay the penalty for our sin. No matter how unworthy we believe ourselves to be, the truth is, God desires to make His home with us.  He awaits our invitation.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.  (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV)

Prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus, Let Your light shine in my heart.  Forgive me for my sins and let me inherit eternal life.  Come into my heart and make me new.  Fill me to overflowing with Your love and goodness so I can share the good news of Your salvation with others.  Amen