No Room

“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 room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7)

We’ve all seen the Christmas plays. Children clad in bathrobes try to recall their lines as they portray the precious story. Sometimes the kindly innkeeper is depicted showing the exhausted Mary and Joseph to a cozy area replete with a feeding trough full of nice, clean hay. A carefully-positioned light and strains of “Away in a Manger” make the scene look almost idyllic as Mary lovingly places her firstborn into the manger-bed.

Reality: The only Scriptural facts are presented in the above verses. How they came to the manger setting is unknown. Our imaginations are all we can use to consider the conditions of the birth. And as far as clean, soft hay…probably not. Joseph may have needed to shoo some slobbering cows away from dinner and dodge droppings to make room for the newborn Jesus.

No room in the inn…before Jesus was even born, He faced rejection.

Have you ever heard the poignant song, “No Room”? It is part of a cantata by John W. Peterson, entitled “Night of Miracles”. Here are the words:

No room, only a manager of hay. No room, He is a stranger today.

No room, here in His world turned away, no room, no room.

No room, here in the hearts of mankind. No room, no cheery welcome could find.

No room, surely the world is blind, no room, no room.

Chorus:

No room. Angels, in heaven up yonder watch with amazement and wonder

To see the Son of the Highest treated so. No room, no room, no room.

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Today, the story is the same. Millions, even billions, have no room for the Babe of the manger who is the Savior of the world. Yet do many claiming allegiance to follow this Christ offer Him much better? At this time of year set aside to celebrate His birth, do we inadvertently become the innkeeper, “taking care of business”, (preparing for and rushing to one holiday event after another) while turning our back on the One we so desperately need to focus on? Or are we deliberately setting aside time to ponder the Scriptures, truly listen to the carols, and seek to give Jesus a gift He will cherish…a daily surrender of our lives to His gracious control?

“Are you ready for Christmas”? I’ve already heard that question this year; perhaps you have, too. I want to have the courage to respond, “What do you mean?” Then as I listen to their answer, I’ll silently pray for courage to say (and truthfully mean it), “I’m a follower of that Jesus the carols proclaim, and yes, I’m daily making my heart ready for Christmas. How about you? Are you ready for Christmas?” That question may open doors for sharing the best GIFT all. Let’s pray together to make it so.

Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain.

Perspective

This picture is one of my favorites. While looking skyward through the barren branches, I envisioned a neat perspective for a photo. Grabbing my camera, I lay down on the ground with the top of my head against the tree base. Several images were snapped as I wriggled around the tree, trying to get the perfect shot.

A proper perspective can have a profound effect on our actions. Can you recall a time when you acted a certain way, based on what you preceived as truth about a situation or a person? Isaiah certainly did. Look with me at Isaiah 6:1-8; a few short verses that contained some intense action and life transformation.

Isaiah had been prophesying the coming of God's judgment for both Israel and Judah. In chapter 5, the prophet had issued some scathing woes on the people. But chapter 6 finds him in the temple...and about to receive an attitude adjustment:

"I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted,

and the train of his robe filled the temple" (vs.1)

As he experienced other sights and sounds in the awesome presence of almighty God, Isaiah gained a new perspective. As he had formerly been pronouncing woes, he now saw his own wretchedness before Lord:

"'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips

and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes

have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.'" (vs. 5)

Consider with me the four "C"s of the prophet's life-changing encounter:

1. Conviction and confession (vs. 5) - this is required of each us as we realize our sinfulness, and call out to the Lord for mercy.

2. Cleansing (vs. 6-7) - Isaiah received forgiveness in a way that would be etched indelibly on his mind.

3. Commission (vs. 8) - After purifying His messenger, God issued a call.

4. Commitment (vs. 8) - Isaiah's prepared heart caused him to quickly respond, "Here am I, send me."

So what about us? When we come to the Lord Jesus in repentance and faith, He accepts us, changes us, and gives us a new perspective:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17)

Whether a brand-new believer or a seasoned saint, may our lives model Isaiah's: quickly and continually making ourselves available to our Master, to carry out the incredible plans He has uniquely fashioned for us!

Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)