Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The words' there was no room for them in the inn' remind me of a family trip many years ago. We had been travelling all day, and I was trying to find a motel where we could spend the night. As we drove along the highway, our hopes were dashed time time and again by the NO VACANCY signs.

As a father, responsible for the well being of my family, I was frustrated and discouraged. Then I thought of Mary and Joseph. How much worse it must have been for them when they arrived in Bethlehem and found no rooms available! I can imagine Joseph pleading with the manager of the inn, telling him of Mary's condition and their desperate need for a place where she could give birth to her child. But 'there was no room for them in the inn.' So when Jesus was born, His mother 'wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger'.

Today, 2000 years later, millions of people have no room for Jesus. Although they participate enthusiastically in the festivities of the Christmas season, they keep Him out of their lives. The NO VACANCY sign is there.

How about you?

What better time than during this season to rededicate your life to Him or to receive Him as your saviour!

- Richard De Haan

Have you any room for Jesus,
He who bore your load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission,
Sinner, will you let Him in?

If Christ is kept on the outside, something's wrong on the inside.

Luke 2:1-7

Christ Born of Mary

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.