"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 2.6-7
You know the story. We have revisited and rehearsed it many times. It is the staple of every children 's Christmas program. Some of us still decorate our lawns with a replica of the proceedings.
Mary and Joseph have arrived in Bethlehem and there is no room in the inn. The best the busy innkeeper has to offer is his stable, probably more a cave, inhabited by his cattle and probably some vermin.
This is the time of year when the "Keep Christ in Christmas" campaign begins to counter the "Happy Holidays" crowd. The political correctedness has become so complicated that I sometimes catch myself saying "have a nice holiday," before I remember that I am one of those who desires to keep Christ in Christmas.
Even with an angelic chorus and exuberant shepherds, there were some in Bethlehem that were unaware that the Savior of the World was occupying a free parking space in the crowded city of David. It was many months before Herod and his posse in Jerusalem learned from the Magi that God had become flesh and moved into the neighborhood.
And Herod definitely wanted to declare to the infant King, "do not park here!"
But let me ask you--is Jesus free to park in your neighborhood? I mean, do you treat him like an honored guest at Christmas and Easter and then hope he can take care of himself while you go to the beach, work overtime, sleep and play, and watch the Flyers and Steelers?
Of course he can take care of himself. That's not the point.
Jesus wants to do more than park in your driveway. He wants to dwell at very center of your being. He wants to have an unbreakable and inviolable lease on your heart,
If he does not, then stop being a hypocrite and go shop at Target.
This is the time of year when the "Keep Christ in Christmas" campaign begins to counter the "Happy Holidays" crowd. The political correctedness has become so complicated that I sometimes catch myself saying "have a nice holiday," before I remember that I am one of those who desires to keep Christ in Christmas.
Even with an angelic chorus and exuberant shepherds, there were some in Bethlehem that were unaware that the Savior of the World was occupying a free parking space in the crowded city of David. It was many months before Herod and his posse in Jerusalem learned from the Magi that God had become flesh and moved into the neighborhood.
And Herod definitely wanted to declare to the infant King, "do not park here!"
But let me ask you--is Jesus free to park in your neighborhood? I mean, do you treat him like an honored guest at Christmas and Easter and then hope he can take care of himself while you go to the beach, work overtime, sleep and play, and watch the Flyers and Steelers?
Of course he can take care of himself. That's not the point.
Jesus wants to do more than park in your driveway. He wants to dwell at very center of your being. He wants to have an unbreakable and inviolable lease on your heart,
If he does not, then stop being a hypocrite and go shop at Target.
(C) 2011 by Stephen L Dunn
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