There is a story that has popped up around Christmas time for years…and I love it. It is about a kid who is in the second grade, and he was one of the slower ones in the class. His name was Eddie and the teacher wanted to include him in the Christmas play which would be about the birth of Jesus. Every kid had a part, and the kids couldn’t figure out what Eddie could play. The teacher gave him the role of the innkeeper in Bethlehem. All he had to do was when Joseph came to the door and asked for a place to say, Eddie simply just said “There is no room in the inn”. The night of the play came, and everyone was packed in the performance hall. The big moment came and Joseph came to the door looking for a room and said “My wife is about to have a baby and isn’t feeling good. Could we please have a room for the night? Eddie was as ready as could be. He answered, “There is….” and he went completely blank! His lips moved but nothing came out. Joseph improvised and just
turned away and headed to the stable. Eddie seeing Joseph leave suddenly spoke loudly and clearly… “Look, there’s plenty of room in my house! Just come on home with me!” Eddie didn’t get the script of the play right, but he got the script of Christmas right on the nose. This Christmas we all are like that poor innkeeper who was so loaded with people that he didn’t have any room left for…Jesus. But he made room. And Eddie, his heart wasn’t going to allow the Son of God to walk away. And instinctively invited him and his family to come not to an inn but to his home. And that’s what God looks for each Christmas for us. That when we sense his knocking at our hearts that we won’t turn him away or just ignore him until he gets the message that he is not welcome. Instead, we tell him that there is room in our home, in our hearts for the one who came to live and love with us…and then to die for us on the cross. This Christmas, if you have ears to hear, there will be that knocking at the door.... of your heart and soul. And the voice will ask if there is room in your hear for this one who loves you more than anyone else has or ever could. Don’t let the moment escape, invite him in and celebrate Christmas and all the days of the year and then the years you have on planet earth. Because it will begin a love relationship and party that he promises will go on forever. Merry Christmas…Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Ephesians 3:16-18 NLT I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. (17) Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. (18) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
turned away and headed to the stable. Eddie seeing Joseph leave suddenly spoke loudly and clearly… “Look, there’s plenty of room in my house! Just come on home with me!” Eddie didn’t get the script of the play right, but he got the script of Christmas right on the nose. This Christmas we all are like that poor innkeeper who was so loaded with people that he didn’t have any room left for…Jesus. But he made room. And Eddie, his heart wasn’t going to allow the Son of God to walk away. And instinctively invited him and his family to come not to an inn but to his home. And that’s what God looks for each Christmas for us. That when we sense his knocking at our hearts that we won’t turn him away or just ignore him until he gets the message that he is not welcome. Instead, we tell him that there is room in our home, in our hearts for the one who came to live and love with us…and then to die for us on the cross. This Christmas, if you have ears to hear, there will be that knocking at the door.... of your heart and soul. And the voice will ask if there is room in your hear for this one who loves you more than anyone else has or ever could. Don’t let the moment escape, invite him in and celebrate Christmas and all the days of the year and then the years you have on planet earth. Because it will begin a love relationship and party that he promises will go on forever. Merry Christmas…Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Ephesians 3:16-18 NLT I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. (17) Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. (18) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ