Christmas Choice: Innkeeper or Shepherd?
Christmas was so close to the innkeeper in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph came to his city, they stood on his doorstep, possibly even in front of his desk. Yet we deduce his preoccupation with business kept him from recognizing the Christ of Christmas. The innkeeper had no time and no room for Jesus.
The shepherds were different. Upon hearing the “good news of great joy” and that “there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” – they hurried into Bethlehem to meet Him. They took time for Jesus. More than that, the shepherds made room for Jesus in their hearts and “spread the Word concerning…this child” (Luke 2:10-11, 17).
More than 2,000 years have passed since then. “Wise men” still seek Him; “innkeepers” still miss Him, caught up in the busyness of the season; and “shepherds” still find Him. Those who find Jesus discover something more precious than wise men’s gifts. They experience forgiveness and the gift of eternal life (John 1:29; 3:16).
A Christmas Prayer: “Dear God, I want to be a shepherd and come to Jesus. Forgive me for having no time and no room for Him. You are welcome in my heart now. Begin to change my life for good. Thank you for making room for me in your Kingdom. Amen.”
