Luke 2:6-7
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
strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them
in the inn. NIV
How must Mary's heart have felt as Joseph was turned
away from one inn after another? No room, no room at the inn for you, your wife,
the expected child; God's greatest gift of love to mankind. No room, no room for
you.
What harsh, cold words these must have been. How
lonely Mary and Joseph must have felt. How they must have been seeking God's
face to understand what they were to do. He had given them a gift to share with
the world, but where did they fit in, how did it all fit together? Where were
they to go?
And then when all else had been tried they found a
stable: a place of rest. A place to be alone to birth the blessing of God for
all mankind, for there was no room at the inn. But God did not need a room at
the inn. After all, the earth and everything in it was his to give. It was not
that he could not have supplied better accommodations for the birth of his son
and the comfort of his earthly parents. The stable was of God's choosing that
the hearts of those who have felt left out, who have experienced no room at the
inn of life would know that there was One who understood their heartache, their
pain and loneliness; the pain and loneliness of rejection, of no room at the
inn.
And that stable in all its earthy humility became the
first true church of Christ as the doors were open to both poor and rich alike;
to the shepherds, the outcasts of their day as well as to the wise men, wealthy
well educated foreigners from afar. A place with room at the inn
This week as we go about our daily activities or enter
our sanctuaries of worship what will others find when they come a knocking: Room
at the inn in the stable of our hearts where the living Lord abides or the
barred door of selfishness with no room for others?
Prayer: Father God how lonely it is when there is no
room at the inn. Cleanse the hearts of your people of all but love that never
again will anyone experience the rejection of those whose hearts are to be the
reflection of your love. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, BC
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