(Luke 2:7)
It was the biggest event of the year in the little town of Cornwall – the annual
Christmas pageant, starring many of the people of the town. When it came time
for casting the various parts, every parent wanted their son or daughter to be
included. On audition day, it didn’t take long to match every part with just the
right person. But then there was Harold. The little guy really wanted a part.
But because of his learning disabilities, the directors kept passing him over.
But Harold just kept popping up again, asking for a part. Finally, the directors
gave in and gave him what they judged to be a no-risk part – the innkeeper who
comes to the door and tells Mary and Joseph the inn is full. It was a part with
only one simple line. Little did they know that the stage had been set for the
most memorable Christmas pageant they had ever seen.
Well, I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have a WORD WITH YOU today about “The
Christmas invitation”.
The night of the pageant, you had to get there early just to get a seat.
Backstage, the shepherds were putting on their bathrobes, the angels were
adjusting their haloes, and everyone was reviewing their lines. The directors
were going over Harold’s line with him one more time – “Remember, Harold – ‘I’m
sorry, we have no room.’” Slowly, but surely, Harold repeated his line.
The men of the church had built a set that portrayed Bethlehem in the
background, a manger on the right, and the inn on the left. As Act One neared
its end, a weary Mary and Joseph trudged up to the inn door, desperately looking
for shelter. Joseph knocked on the inn door. Nothing happened. Backstage the
front rows could hear the director whispering, “Now, Harold!” The set began to
shake as Harold struggled to get the inn door open. Then, standing there in his
bathrobe, Harold listened as Joseph begged for a room for his pregnant wife.
Harold said nothing. Again, the backstage whisper - “I’m sorry, we have no
room.” Another long pause. Finally, Harold struggled through his line – “I’m
sorry . . . We have no room.” Then he slowly closed the door. It was as Mary and
Joseph began to turn away that totally unforgettable moment came – the one no
one would ever forget. Suddenly, the set started to shake again as Harold again
struggled to get the door open. Before the stunned director could get to him,
Harold opened the door and ran after the departing Mary and Joseph. And loud
enough for people in the basement to hear, Harold shouted - “Wait! Wait! You can
have MY room!”
Little Harold understood exactly what Christmas really means. Luke 2:7, our word
for today from the Word of God, says, “There was no room for them in the inn.”
But Harold understood that when the Son of God is at your door, you have to make
room for Him. Which is something you may have never done. You’ve done Christian
things, gone to Christian meetings, believed Christian beliefs, developed a
Christian image – but you’ve never really opened the door of your heart to the
Savior who died for you.
Who is once again knocking on the door of your heart this Christmas Day. Your
heart is empty because Jesus isn’t there. I can’t think of a better day to
change that . . . To finally give yourself to the One who gave Himself for you.
You can open the door by praying a prayer something like this - “Jesus, I’ve
been running my life. I resign. I believe You paid the death penalty for my sin
– and right now I’m putting my total trust in You to forgive my sin and take me
to heaven. I’m Yours.”
If you’re ready to begin that relationship, Find out more about how a
relationship with God can be Yours for Life! If you're not sure you belong to
Jesus Christ, and you'd like to make sure, check out YOURS FOR LIFE!
Christmas – the day Jesus came to this earth to rescue you. This is the day to
give Him what He came for . . . To give Him you. Merry Christmas.
Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. Permission to reproduce this
material is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for
non-commercial purposes, will not be sold, and will be distributed for the sole
purpose of expanding the Gospel.
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