JESUS FIRST!
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Luke 2:7 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Most of us know the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph travel 70 miles to Bethlehem when she is very pregnant. There was no phone number to call to make a reservation at the Holiday Inn. No online booking service to get a room at the Hampton Inn. Maybe they waited till the last minute to make the trip hoping the baby would come before they had to travel. Whatever the reason was it appears they arrived later than everyone else coming to register for the tax. Every room in town was full. The only place they could find shelter was in a stable made available to them by a kind inn owner. I wonder if this year in the middle of all our Christmas celebration and activities we can find ourselves much like those people in Bethlehem. So busy with life, parties to attend, presents to buy and wrap, food to prepare, and trees to decorate that we fail to have a place for Jesus. I wonder if Jesus will find Himself unwelcome in our busy lives? With all that we have going on is it possible that there is no room for Jesus? God wants to be involved in our lives. Not just the big crisis but in the day-to-day activities of our lives. He wants to direct us, protect us, and provide for us. But often we get so busy we fail to stop and listen to Jesus. It is possible to celebrate Christmas without really making room for Jesus in our celebration. I pray that this Christmas is different. That we will intentionally take time to pause and spend time with Jesus. That we will give Jesus room in our lives and hearts.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to make Jesus the center of my Christmas. Help me to be intentional to worship Jesus this Christmas. Help me carve out time with my family and friends to pause and celebrate the birth and life of Jesus.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”