"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Approaching the inn in Bethlehem brought a sense of relief to Joseph and Mary after the long and difficult ninety mile journey from Nazareth. Mary, nine months pregnant, would finally be able to put her feet up and Joseph could stop worrying about the health of the woman he loved.
We all know the Christmas story and that things didn't turn out exactly as expected for Joseph and Mary; the inn was crowded with travelers and there was no room for them to stay. Whether the innkeeper had compassion on them and let them stay in the stable area, or whether they had to move on and find their own way, we don't know. But we do know that the announcement of the birth of Jesus by the angels included "you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger".
The circumstances Joseph and Mary found themselves in that Christmas Eve were not what anyone would envision for the birth of a child, let alone the Son of God. But it is another powerful lesson that our lives are not governed by the circumstances we find ourselves in, that our success is not measured by the natural surroundings we face this Christmas season.
The child found lying in that manger is now a King, the leader of a religious movement with hundreds of millions of followers, the most powerful person ever born to a woman. I think it's safe to say that being born in a stable didn't hold him back, didn't keep Jesus from fulfilling his purpose and destiny in life. In fact, I'm sure you will agree with me that being found in a manger, a place normally reserved for animals, turned out to not be such a big deal considering all Jesus accomplished (and is still accomplishing in each of us!).
This Christmas season, let the circumstances of the birth of Christ encourage you to take your eyes off your circumstances, whether they are good or bad, comfortable or difficult, restful or trying, and realize that it is your faith in God, and the attitude of faith you approach life with, that will determine the success of your life. May the manger of Bethlehem, and the life it held, cause you to be filled with hope both for today and for the bright future ahead!
God Bless and Merry Christmas!Pastor Joe
Gateway Church
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