{"id":3225,"date":"2015-12-20T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2015-12-20T15:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3225"},"modified":"2015-10-30T11:52:56","modified_gmt":"2015-10-30T16:52:56","slug":"choose-to-make-room-for-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3225","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Make Room for Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Year of Choices<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Sorry<\/a>When the birth of Christ occurred we are told it took place in a stable because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)\u00a0 We don\u2019t know why there was no room.\u00a0 Perhaps the computer lost their reservation?\u00a0 \u00a0Maybe Bethlehem was a one-horse town and didn\u2019t even have a Holiday Inn, so travelers were staying with relatives and friends.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t say Mary and Joseph were rejected.\u00a0 Bethlehem was probably overcrowded with people coming to register for that required census.\u00a0 Maybe there was just no room for them in the main part of a house so they had to stay out back.\u00a0 All we know is that the Bible says there was \u201cno room in the inn\u201d for them.\u00a0 Which is a little prophetic because many in the world don\u2019t really hate Jesus or dislike Him; they just don\u2019t have any room for Him in the main part of their lives.<\/p>\n

In the 1600s the French enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher Voltaire had little use for religion.\u00a0 He was walking with a friend when they passed a church.\u00a0 Voltaire raised his hat as they passed.\u00a0 The friend said, \u201cI thought you didn\u2019t believe in God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Voltaire said, \u201cOh we nod, but we do not speak.\u201d \u00a0I think that\u2019s how a lot of people feel.<\/p>\n

Actually, that\u2019s one reason I love Christmas.\u00a0 It\u2019s a time when people who may only have a nodding acquaintance with Christ, or don\u2019t even want to believe in Him, subconsciously acknowledge His existence. \u00a0It warms my heart to hear an atheist absent mindedly hum or even sing \u201cO, come let us adore Him\u201d or \u201cjoy to the world the Lord has come\u201d with the background music at the mall while Christmas shopping.<\/p>\n

There is irony in atheists singing about adoring Christ the Lord. There is irony in them celebrating a holiday about Christ\u2019s birth.\u00a0 They may try to say that\u2019s not what they are celebrating but how can they get around it?\u00a0 Christmas literally means Christ\u2019s Mass.\u00a0 So ironically, whether people want it to or not, it commemorates and celebrates Christ\u2019s birth!<\/p>\n

Biblical events show that God is not above a little irony.\u00a0 He blessed Sarah and Abraham with their son Isaac when Sarah was beyond childbearing years.\u00a0 A mere shepherd boy named David killed the giant Goliath.\u00a0 Joseph\u2019s brothers relied on him for deliverance, even though they sold him into slavery.\u00a0 And perhaps the greatest irony of all was the birth of Jesus.<\/p>\n

People were looking for a Messiah with a flaming sword.\u00a0 Even though Christ\u2019s birth fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophesies concerning everything from his lineage to where he would be born, people did not recognize him.\u00a0 They were expecting someone strong and powerful, not a helpless child.\u00a0 They were looking for a king, not a baby born in a manger.\u00a0 The irony of it all was that this baby in the manger was the King.<\/p>\n

\"Emmanuel\"<\/a><\/p>\n

He was called Emmanuel which means God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23, Isaiah 7:14)\u00a0 God became one of us.\u00a0 Miraculously, the Word became flesh and lived among us.\u00a0 This Savior for sinners brought salvation to everyone \u2013 from the poorest shepherd to the richest Magi. \u00a0John tells us about Christ becoming flesh in John 1:14 and goes on to say, \u201cWe have seen His glory.\u201d\u00a0 But many did not see Christ\u2019s glory.\u00a0 Just like today.\u00a0 Many cannot see His glory so they do not make room for Christ in their lives.\u00a0 However, ironically they celebrate His birth!<\/p>\n

Consider this\u2026 While we may not make room for Christ in our lives, He always makes room for us.\u00a0 Christ makes room for everyone from the poorest shepherd to the richest Magi!<\/p>\n

One verse of Joy to the World<\/em> says, \u201cLet every heart, prepare Him room\u2026\u201d That\u2019s good advice. \u00a0Christians know this is not just something we should do at Christmastime, but every day of our lives!<\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n