THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

At Christmas, many people make a special effort to return home and be with their family.  For those of us, who for many reasons, are unable to gather with family at Christmas, is it still possible to celebrate a full and rich Christmas without being fake? The lives of Joseph and Mary and Jesus teach us that it is possible. 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  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 guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1, 3-7 NIV)

Joseph and Mary were displaced at a crucial time in their lives.  In a stable – a rough cave in the side of a hill where animals were sheltered for the night – they made ready and welcomed Jesus into the world.  Other guests came – shepherds who were directed by a heavenly host of angels to where the baby was.  Mary and Joseph might not have been where they wanted to be but, together with the shepherds, the animal shelter was turned into a wondrous place of worship.

At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus who chose displacement from His Father in Heaven and came to earth in the form of a human baby so He could redeem us from the power of sin.  Until the fulfillment of time and the invitation to come to His Father's house, Jesus, in the power of His Holy Spirit, will be with us wherever we may be here on this earth.  This Christmas we need to look at our hearts before we look at our circumstances and see the amazing guest who shares this season with us.  Life may not be as perfect as we would like it to be, and we may be struggling to cope, but Jesus is with us!  Let's be at home with Jesus this Christmas season as we celebrate His birth.

Prayer:  Thank You Jesus for coming to be with me in my imperfect world.  I want to make room for You in my heart and share each day of this Christmas season together with You.  Amen