Merry Christmas to all you Special folks. God Bless
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:46:20 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Dec. 24); BP: Lk. 2:1-7; RBTTY: Rev. 15; Habakkuk
December 24 “The Homeless Savior”
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7
May there never be a “No Vacancy” sign on our hearts when it comes to the Lord.
“No room in the inn.”
Even now those words tug at our hearts when we think of the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph were tired that day when they finally arrived in Bethlehem. Most likely, the very-pregnant Mary had ridden most of the way on the back of a lowly donkey while Joseph walked alongside them on the dusty road that wound some 80 miles or more south from Nazareth.
Assuredly, there were perils along the way. Robbers were commonplace. The weather was possibly not cooperative. And, every bump along the way probably caused Mary to wince in pain as the Baby bounced around in her womb.
But, then, the unthinkable:
“No room in the inn.”
If they’d had neon signs back then every motel in town would have had a bright red “No Vacancy” sign beaming from its front plate-glass window (if they’d had glass windows). We can almost hearing them sigh as they went from motel to motel, hearing the same words over and over again: “No room. No room.”
Just when it seemed like they’d have to find a park bench to sleep on one of the innkeepers showed a little compassion and said “You know, I’ve got a little stable out back where you can bed down for the night. It’s not much—it’s a stable you know—but at least it’s out of the elements and the straw can help you keep a little warm during the night. Please feel free to use it if you’d like. . .at no charge.”
With a bowed head Joseph thanked the man and the two quickly made their way to the crude shelter. As they entered in, Mary began groaning in pain. The Baby was coming and they had to move quickly. And, soon new Life would enter that tiny stable and the world would be changed forever.
As we near another Christmas Day, it’s good that we pause to remember that first Christmas night and all that happened then in “The House of Bread” (vv.1-20). Jesus’ birth was no ordinary birth with regards to the significance of His coming. And, the fact that He was a “homeless Savior” that night reminds us once again of His (and our) Calling and Mission in life (Is. 61:1-3; Mt. 25:35-46).
How thankful that the God of the universe chose to be identify with the “meek and lowly” (Mt. 5:5; 11:28-30) in His Birth and Life and sinful outcasts in His death (Is. 53:12; Lk. 23:39-43). Knowing He’s “not ashamed to call us brothers” (Heb. 2:11) and was/is willing to identify with us (Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16) should move us to both thanksgiving/ praise and obedience. May the Holy Spirit help us to look for others today who are homeless, helpless and hopeless, telling them about Jesus, the “homeless Savior” and how He longs to set up housekeeping in their hearts.
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