Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Pastor’s Column, 12/20/2004



How very poetically the gospel of Luke describes the accomodations for Joseph and Mary.

“While they were in Bethlehem, the days were completed for Mary to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son; and she wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn.” (Luke 2:6,7)

So many times, I’ve heard people say that it was bad timing, bad luck, too bad the inn didn’t have an “800” number. But it was all part of the plan of God.

In His humility, there was no other place more appropriate for the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. No more fitting place for shepherds to run to find this “best of news” baby that God had sent to make peace with mankind. I’m okay with what God did here.

The tragic issue is that here in a Quasi Christian subculture in central Minnesota, the story still plays itself out in the same way. Here, thousands of Christian folks still find it difficult, on an individual basis, to find any room for Jesus.

In this Christmas season, when we should be completely focused on the Son of God who came to make eternity with God available, we find our lives so filled with the spirit of the commercialized holiday, we can barely find time even to sit down and pray or read the Christmas story from the Bible.

No, I’m not “Bah Humbug-ing” Christmas. I am just struck by how the spirit of our world has grabbed us by the choke chain collar and continues to pull us away from Jesus.

Maybe nothing has really changed in all these years. Would you take time to run to a stable to meet Jesus?

We see just a glimpse of Jesus’ own attitude years later, talking to the “religious” leaders of His day: “I know you are Abraham’s children, yet you seek to kill me, because My Word has no place (no room) in you. (John 8:37)

Make room in your day – every day, all year – for Jesus, God’s greatest gift.

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