The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“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).

Tim was so drowsy behind the wheel of his car that he drove right past his exit. The next exit was nearly 40 miles away, and it was late at night. Fearful that there may be no vacant motel rooms, his wife Shirley started calling ahead to the motels at the next exit. There were three or four motels at the next town along the Interstate. As she spoke with the clerk at the last motel, what great relief she experienced when the clerk assured her that they had one remaining room and that she would hold it for the MacLaughlin family. As Tim spoke quietly so as not to awaken his children, he confided to his wife, “I was really starting to feel nervous. What if I could not find a room for my family tonight? Imagine what that must have been like for Mary and Joseph that night. To be far from their home, advanced in her pregnancy, then to discover that there was no room at the inn must have alarmed and distressed Joseph,” he said thoughtfully. That phrase, “no room in the inn” ran through his mind many more times that evening. How incredibly symbolic that when the Son of God came to the earth there was no room at the inn. Unfortunately in many Christmas parties and celebrations even today, there will be little room, if any, for Him. You and I have the great privilege of being absolutely committed to making Christ the focus of this day of celebration. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and may the Lord richly bless you as you keep Christ central in Christmas.

For today: Without Christ there would be no Christmas!

“And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47).

We need to keep in balance at all times. On one hand, I highly respect Mary and appreciate her great sacrifice of commitment and obedience. I am really challenged by this young teenage girl who would willingly call herself the servant of the Lord and obey Him even if no one understood. On the other hand, I will never worship Mary. She would never want us to worship her. It is interesting to note that Mary spoke of the Lord being her Savior (1:47). This baby that she was carrying would one day die on the cross, shed his blood, be buried for three days, and would rise again to be not only our Savior but her Savior as well! Mary’s heart was filled with adoration and praise to the Lord. However, she understood her need of salvation. She needed the Savior, and that is the central message of this great Christmas season. The greatest gift was given at Christmas time in the incarnation of God’s own Son. How awesome is that gift of salvation! Have you received God’s gracious gift of salvation?

For today: The greatest gift that will ever be given and received at Christmas this year is the gift of salvation. Have you received that gift?

“And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word. And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38).

Wow! What an amazing reaction. We have no record of some of the questions that must have raced through Mary’s mind. I wonder if she asked herself, “How will I tell Joseph?” Do you suppose she wondered, “How will I explain this to my papa and mother?” I am sure she had many questions as to how she would be accepted in the community, her family, and even with her friends. But there was something even more important than all of these things. Mary accepted God’s assignment and was committed to obeying Him. What a challenge for us today. What a blessing for us to consider how this young teenager immediately responded in faith and acceptance and referred to herself as the handmaid of the Lord. That literally means, “I am the Lord’s servant girl and will gladly do whatever He wishes me to do.” Oh the great blessing that would come upon our churches if every member had this attitude! Throughout this Christmas season and even as we start the New Year may this be said of us. We are His servants and want to do whatever the Master wishes.

For today: Obedience is still the best way to show that we really do love the Lord.

“Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).

Gabriel came with two special messages to two very special people. Earlier he had come to Zacharias and shared with him that he and his wife Elisabeth would have a child. Zacharias responded with doubting and asked, “Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is well stricken in years” (Luke 1:18). As a result of this attitude, he would not speak again until his child was born. Mary had a far different attitude. Her question was not one of doubt. It was a question of amazement. She was overwhelmed in the moment and asked Gabriel, “How can this be since I have never had intimate relations with a man?” These two dear people responded with two questions that had two very different attitudes. Here is a great lesson for each of us. It is fine to ask the Lord questions. However, we must ask Him to give us faith to trust Him and never to doubt. I am blessed and challenged by Mary’s question and her amazement!

For today: May we be people of faith and courage. Even in our questions, may we fully trust the Lord and not doubt Him.

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever: and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

It was supper time at the Thompson’s home. The family had gathered around the table, and the last bowl of piping hot stew had been served. The smell of the simmering stew seemed to grow more intense as the supper hour approached. After prayer, it was finally time to eat. Suddenly the telephone rang. Dad looked at his stew and then at his wife and then back to his stew and said,” How does that phone seem to always ring when it’s supper time?” Getting up from his place Dad answered his phone to hear the words, “Congratulations! Interest rates are at an all-time low and now is the time to refinance!” Dad tried his best to explain to the telemarketer that their mortgage had been paid off for several years. He tried to thank the person for calling, but the person kept insisting that Mr. Thompson listen to his announcement. It seemed rude at the time, but finally he hung up. Later that night the family read about the announcement of the greatness of the Son that Mary would deliver. What a great announcement it was in comparison with the announcement of the telemarketer!

For today: Rejoice in the greatness of the Son. Everything about Him is supernatural. I’m so glad He’s my Savior. How about you? Is He your Savior?