"She [Mary] wrapped him [Jesus] in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:7
I heard an interesting perspective on the account of why Jesus was born in a manger, no crib for his head. I am quite certain that you have either read or heard being read the verses associated with the birth of Jesus in Luke chapter 2. They are the "go-to" verses at Christmas. I heard them the last Sunday, but they settled in my heart in a different way this year. Think about it. But first read these verses.
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." - John 3:14-21
So God, the Father, sent God the Son to Earth for the good of mankind. And what was the world's response? "No room for You God!" Things have not changed much have they? The world does not have time for God. It wants nothing to do with God. The world crucified God's greatest gift - Jesus. But as with Joseph and his brothers, "What men meant for evil, God meant for good!" Genesis 50:20; had Jesus not been crucified there would have been no perfect sacrifice. Without a perfect sacrifice there would be no salvation. Without salvation there would be no eternal life. We who have eternal hope would be without hope.
And still, today, perhaps more than ever, the world tells God that there is no room for Him or His Son. The world does not understand its folly as it persists in hating the light. But we do. Remember that it was not all that long ago that we were also in darkness. Standing with the crowd yelling "Crucify Him". We had no time for God and no place in our hearts for His Son.
The world celebrates Christmas but worships their god - which is money, not Jesus. It is Santa Clause not the Holy Spirit that brings peace and joy to men's hearts. Even if it is only for a moment until the credit card bills arrive. They buy what they can't afford to find happiness that they can't keep. Those gifts will wilt on the vine before the week is out. I see commercials that glorify getting 10 more points on someone's credit score. Why? Because with a higher credit score, you can go deeper in debt.
"You [Christian] are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." - Matthew 5:13-15
Be the Light! Point people to Jesus as they run straight toward the gates of hell.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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