First Baptist Church (Montgomery, Alabama)
Thursday, May 17, 2012
 
 
 
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of
the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius
was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph
also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of
David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register
with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  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 guest room available for the!’”  —  Luke 2:1-7
 
 
It is fun to close your eyes, open wide your imagination and wonder what that night must have been like.  Mary and Joseph had made the long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. 
 
…was it noisy and crowded on the streets when they arrived?
…what was Joseph’s reaction when discovering there was no room in the inn?    
…did the innkeeper awaken the next morning and wonder about the welfare of
          the young couple?
…did the stable smell bad? (most stables do!)
…were the shepherds confused or amazed?
…does Mary realize that she is looking into the face of her son, but also her Lord – her
          baby, but also His Majesty?
…were the people in the city too busy and self-focused to consider the possibility that
          the answer to every question has just been answered in the birth of this baby?

Whatever the details, this scene is indeed an amazing one. The Divine has entered our world in the most unlikely of places, a dirty cattle stall. As the song asks, “What could be stranger, than God in a manger?”

The people in Bethlehem may not have missed it because of intentional acts of evil.  No, it’s more likely that they simply were not looking!  Perhaps the most important question for us to consider this Christmas is this…Have WE stopped looking?  Just like those shepherds long ago, if we will seek Him, we’ll find His loving arms waiting to give us His love, light, hope, peace and JOY!
 
 
Activity:
 
Share the JOY that you have with someone else this week. Here are a few suggestions:

•    Pray for people who send you a Christmas card.
•    Bring someone to church with you.
•    Take someone to a doctor’s appointment.
•    Share food with someone.
•    Be a friend to someone who does not have many friends.
•    Provide an act of kindness to someone anonymously.
 
 
Prayer:
 
Dear Jesus, give us a heart that seeks after Your Heart. Give us eyes to see your work around us. Give us willing hands and feet that will be the hands and feet of Christ, serving You with our most and our best. Thank you for your unconditional love and unending supply of JOY!
 

Merry Christmas!
Chip, Christy, Christopher and Caroline Colee