newYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Have you ever had a birthday where you wanted someone else to throw a party for you? Do you imagine receiving a nice gift? and even hint at what you want. Every time you go out with friends You expect people to come out and shout, “Happy Birthday!” You were waiting for it with excitement. But nothing happened! The party never actually happens, it seems like people forget your birthday. Or worse, they remember but don’t know.
That’s what Christmas can be. It is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. But we stuck to the wrong thing and forgot His birthday.
Merchants want you to shop until you’re exhausted, and shoppers are focused on finding all the good deals. Did you know that years ago on Black Friday, a Walmart employee was completely trampled to death? Life as crowds rush in to find some of their savings. and in Tennessee A woman was trampled in the entrance of Toys R Us when the store opened its doors. Luckily, she survived.
AD 2024: Reclaiming Christmas: Living with Biblical Love
We all need to relax a little and remember the reason for this season: Jesus, this is the time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Among the activities and preparations for Christmas How often do we forget our honored guests?
We light fires, cut down trees, talk about holidays. Heard a recorded song describing the birth of Jesus… But how many people actually take the time for Him? (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Nutsson)
We light fires, cut down trees, talk about holidays. Heard a recorded song describing the birth of Jesus… But how many people actually take the time for Him? As we run around Department stores and shopping for everyone we know We can forget to make room in our schedules for Him.
Something similar happened in the first century at the earliest Christmas: there was no room for Jesus.
Mary and Joseph Waiting in Nazareth The day of Mary’s birth was getting closer and closer. Suddenly it was announced that everyone had to pay taxes. And everyone must go to their hometown to make this happen.
ADVENT 2024: As President of Pepperdine, we learn through hardships Christ brought light to end darkness.
Because Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David. So they traveled to Bethlehem, David’s hometown (Luke 2:1-5), when this announcement was made. They probably thought it was a big hassle.
Church processions sing hymns as they pass through Bethlehem and enter the Church of the Nativity. (Timothy Nerozzi)
Maybe you’re wondering, “Why did God want Mary to make the long and arduous journey to Bethlehem during her pregnancy?” We know that God is a master of the details. The Bible says that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. So Mary and Joseph had to go there.
As we think of the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, We can think about this in our minds. We imagine a full moon with the silhouettes of Mary and Joseph against a starry sky. And there was a gentle angelic song playing in the background.
Click here for more Fox News opinions.
But the truth is that this is a very difficult journey. It would be difficult under any circumstances. But Mary’s late pregnancy made it even more difficult. It was a journey of about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
In those days, people traveled about 20 miles a day. They didn’t travel along smooth paved roads. But it is rough terrain that can be climbed and descended. It’s probably during the winter. With temperatures hovering around 30 degrees, the nights would be very cold. Add to that the dangers of wild animals—not to mention the threat of thieves and robbers.
Orthodox priests walk outside the Church of the Nativity. Christians believe that Jesus Christ was born before Orthodox Christmas. In Bethlehem, West Bank, Saturday, January 1, September 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illian)
Mary and Joseph probably felt comforted by the thought of a warm bed. that was waiting for them in Bethlehem But that is not so. When they arrived They found that there was no room for them at the hotel. So Mary had to give birth in unexpected and untimely circumstances. The Savior of the world may have been born in a stable or in a cave (Luke 2:7).
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
There was no room for Jesus at the hotel. Just as there is no room for Him in some people’s lives today. And even during the season he was meant to be the center. Some people still don’t have space.
As we celebrate Christmas and as we prepare to start the new year with new opportunities. Will you make space in your life for Him?
Click here to read more from GREG LAURIE.
