By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Room for Jesus?

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“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7 English Standard Version

The creche is built, the straw bales are in place, and the manger awaits our children’s Christmas play.  But when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem with Mary beginning contractions, they did not expect to be using a manger as a crib.  In today’s sanitized version of the barn where he was born, we may not think of the reality of the cold wind, the smells of animals, the lonely lack of a midwife to assist in the birth.

The first Christmas was full of uncertainty, fears, and hardship.  But it also was a night of unexpected surprises of angels and shepherds and joy.  As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, what are you experiencing?  Fear and grief and worries?  Surprises and love and joy?  No matter what you might be experiencing, the facts of Jesus’ birth are amazing and life changing.

For God sent His only Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world.  And this Son would be born in a stable, be obedient to the Father, suffer at the hands of sinful men.  He would willingly go to a cross and die and be buried.  He would unexpectedly rise on the third day.  And all of this was God’s surprising, extraordinary plan to save you and me.

This Christmas, do you have room for Jesus in your celebration?  Are you surprised yet once again at the wonder of His birth?  Do you appreciate the love of God that is given to you in that manger?  For Jesus has come into this world whether you are ready for Him or not!  The Savior is born for you!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado