As we prepare to celebrate Christmas - which is recognized the world over as the day Jesus Christ was born. Jesus is often the silent Guest in every breakfast, lunch and dinner table. John 1:10-11 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. The story of Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem is one of the fascinating stories of the Bible. Just picture Joseph with the heavily pregnant Mary, (If I may use the Biblical language here: “she was great with Child). As they both arrived in Bethlehem, tired and weary.
They must have moved from one inn to another in search of a place to reside, but there was no room in all the inns in Bethlehem and finally, they came to this particular inn and the best the Manager or the Inn keeper could do was to direct them to his stable (A place in which livestock, especially horses, are kept).
In fact, this is where guests kept their animals (Our today’s underground luxurious car park). A missed opportunity! Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, (a long trough from which horses or cattle feed) because there was no room for them in the inn. As a young child: Jesus got His work cut out for Him. He couldn’t grow up like others. He had to escape with His parents to Egypt.
Out of Africa, Jesus was called out as was prophesied in Hos. 11:1. When He started His ministry, He could not find a platform to preach: Luke 4:16-30 When Jesus came to where He was brought up, He went to the synagogue. He said to them: (To paraphrase this), “I AM the One you have been reading about and waiting for as per your scriptures (Is. 61:1-2).
He had no pulpit of His own and yet He improvised a borrowed boat for His pulpit - Luke 5:1-3 Jesus had no residence of His own. As an adult, He had no residence of His own to host anyone. When someone came to Him and wanted to follow Him: But Jesus said to him in Matt 8:20 "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." After more than 2000 years of coming to the earth He created, Jesus is still searching for a place to reside.
Even today He still wants to reside in men’s hearts. Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. As you celebrate His birthday, remember that He wants to come into your heart and dine with you. He is still searching for a place to reside.
Will you allow Him into your heart TODAY? Let your Christmas be “Joy to the world, the Lord is come”. Have a blessed Christmas. Stay safe, Blessed and Connected most importantly to Jesus Christ who is the reason for our Christmas celebration.
Your Friend Tony Ojamiren.