Do you realize that every aspect of Christ’s birth was a miracle? First, God chose a godly virgin to bear His Son, and through immaculate conception she carried the Lord. Second, through God’s working, Joseph and Mary were required to travel to Bethlehem, the prophesied place of Jesus’ birth. Last, there was no room for the couple in any inn, so they retired to a barn, the place where Christ would be born. Everything from the humble stable, the manger, and the swaddling clothes pictured the future Jesus would have as the Saviour of the world.

Christ’s birth was a miracle! Never forget the fact that God provided a miracle unlike any other that first Christmas night. The birth of the Lord was not merely a joyous entrance of the Saviour into this world (though it was that), but it was also the fulfillment of God’s promise to the world that He would provide a spotless Lamb to take away the sins of humanity.

How much time have you spent praising God this Christmas season? Have you praised Him yet today? Take a moment now to simply reflect on the birth of Christ and all the events surrounding it. Thank God He was in control of every aspect, and provided His Son through a miraculous birth.

Remember the birth of Christ this holiday season. Remember to praise God for fulfilling His promise of a Saviour and the payment of your sins.  –Dr. Paul Chappell

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

Some years ago at a resort area along the East Coast, a small community was having an open town meeting about some financial problems that they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was apparently visiting in that area and had just dropped in on the meeting. He started to make a comment once as various projects were considered, but he was interrupted; so for the rest of the time, he kept still, and he left early. Just as he went out someone arriving late came in, and said breathlessly, “What was he doing here? Is he going to help us?” The rest of them said, “Who are you talking about? Who was that man?” The person who had just arrived said, “You mean you don’t know? That was John D. Rockefeller.”

John Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest men alive during his time, had wanted to help the small community, but because they were too busy to listen to him, he quietly left. Even more wealthy and more powerful than John Rockefeller is our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

How many times have we interrupted God or failed to listen to Him? Often those times that He wanted to help us most we ignored His leading. Notice the picture of this in our verse today, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

While some could argue that the town would have been full and the innkeeper would not have had room for Mary and Joseph, picture the situation. A young man and his very pregnant wife are searching for a room. They are both weary and tired, and perhaps Mary had even begun experiencing labor pains. Rather than making room for them, the innkeeper sent them to the animals’ sleeping area.

What an outrage! Our Lord, the King of kings, deserved better than this. Indeed He did, but He also deserves better than to be overlooked and ignored in your life. What the innkeeper did that night is no different than when you ignore His leading, dismiss His plan, and bypass His guidance. Those times you fail to heed His council are just you telling Christ to take a backseat, to stay in the stable rather than in the inn of your heart.

If you are saved, the Holy Spirit will always live in your heart, but whether you listen to Him or not is your choice. God will always provide His help for you, but whether you accept His help and heed His guidance will determine what place He has in your life. Is He merely a part of your life or is He the driving force behind your actions?

How do you treat the Lord? Do you heed His guidance and obey His commands or could you be represented by the innkeeper who placed Christ in a stable? Don’t allow anything to push God out of your life. No possession, hobby, job, amount of money, or philosophy can replace the One who died on the Cross for you. Allow Him to have first place in your life today and follow His every guiding command. (Dr. Paul Chappell)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861.  The Civil War broke out that same year, and it seemed this was an additional punishment.  Two years later, Longfellow was again saddened to hear the his own son had been seriously wounded as a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac.
Sitting down to his desk, one Christmas Day, he heard the church bells ringing, and ringing.  It was in this setting he wrote:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,
God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.

At this Chirstmas time whether you are in sorrow or in joy you can know that God is not dead, not doth he sleep.  He knows your every need and longs to comfort you and be that special friend you need.  Seek Him this year instead of the outward manifestations of the season.  He will give life real meaning and your heart real peace, the peace that passes all understanding. (Copied)

“There is nothing in us or done by us, at any stage of our earthly development, because of which we are acceptable to God. We must always be accepted for Christ’s sake, or we cannot ever be accepted at all. . . . This is not true of us only when we believe. It is just as true after we have believed. It will continue to be true as long as we live. Our need of Christ doesn’t cease with our believing; nor does the nature of our relation to Him or to God through Him ever alter, no matter what our attainments in Christian graces or our achievements in behavior may be. It is always on His ‘blood and righteousness’ alone that we can rest.”–B.B. Warfield

Many years ago two missionaries were captured and imprisoned. Although they shared the same cell they were forbidden to speak to one another, and they knew the punishment would be severe if they did so. When Christmas came the two lonely men sat, shivering and silent, on the cold floor covered with hay. While playing with the pieces of hay, one of the missionaries came up with an idea as to how they could communicate without speaking. Using the pieces of hay, he spelled out the word “IMMANUEL”. As soon as his friend saw it he was overcome with great joy. Although they were prisoners and alone they believed God was with them and that cheered their spirits. Dear friend, the same is true for you if you are a Christian! Regardless of your sitution you are never without God’s presence. He is with you always and He can help. This Christmas use what you have and do what you can to show others that God is indeed with us!