ROOM WITHIN FOR THE CHRISTCHILD

God’s angel said to the Shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:10,11 NIV)

I’m sure for Shepherds who weren’t accustomed to see angels and bright lights out in the typical dark nights of their sheep-herding ventures, it at least startled them a bit, if not scared them to death. Verse 9 clarifies to us they were terrified. But the message surely had to rebuild their hopes when they realized it was ‘good news of great joy…for all people.’ We like good things that benefit ALL, don’t we? Do you see the text, verse 11?

Today – Jesus was born in history. He stepped out of heaven to meet us where we live, so this sinful, fallen world might find the freedom and help we need to be able to live like Jesus. Living and walking where we walk surely gives us a clear example of how God wants us to live. A Savior – One in whom we can find forgiveness, redemption, different desires, affections redirected. Matthew’s  passage of the Christmas Story tells us that Joseph was to name Him Jesus, for He was to save his people from their sins. Praise God.

We do not need to be victims of our bad habits; He offers us the power to be and do differently. He has been born to YOU…a Savior has been born to YOU. God’s love was demonstrated in this, that while still sinners, Christ died for us. His love was directed toward you…it was for YOU. Have you received of His powerful love? His identity was also clarified: He is Christ the Lord. There was, is, and always will be ONLY One. Jesus is Christ the Lord. Numerous Christmas Carols refer to “Christ the Lord.” Maybe the words have lost their meaning over the years. “Jesus is Lord” is one of the oldest Christian confessions of faith. New Testament believers submitted themselves to Christ and proclaimed Him Ruler of the world. In doing so, they often put their lives on the line, the earthly “lord” of their day being anxious to feed them to the lions. The greatest challenge facing the church today is reasserting the lordship of Christ. Christ’s claims on us as Christians were clearly declared: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” ((Mt. 16:24) The apostle Paul describes Jesus as the “only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” God’s Word tells us that Jesus became God incarnate – the One before whom all peoples must one day stand for judgment and whose lordship every tongue will confess.  If we understand what being Christian means – that Christ, the living God, actually comes in to rule one’s life – then everything must change: Values, goals, desires, habits. If  Christ’s lordship does not disrupt our own lordship, then we must question the reality of that conversion.

If this Christmas Day was Christ’s birth instead of  His birthday, I wonder if we would hear the angel’s glad song? Or would our ears be so deafened by the noise of the world and the sounds that we’ve heard for so long. I wonder if today were His birth, would you know the young couple as the parents of the Christ-child to be? Or would you say, “There’s no room” and turn Him away, too blind the Savior to see? I wonder, would you notice the brilliance of the star, announcing the birth of the Lord? And make them welcome as guests in your home? If  this Christmas Day was His birth instead of His birthday, would you turn Him away? Just what would you say if this Christmas Day He came and knocked at your door? I trust you would affirm what the one Christmas Carol declares, “Oh, come to my heart Lord Jesus, there’s room….. always room in my heart for You!” May it be so, this Christmas Day and every day of our life.