Luke 2:7– And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn (AMP).
The students in our little school were invited to visit another one some miles away. It was too far to walk and parents thought such a trip to be frivolous. We were blessed to attend class because we were often pulled to help with lagging farm work. As a six-year-old, I often drove the team of horses while dad loaded crops on the wagon.
The only woman we knew with a license to drive (and a car!) was our teacher, Miss Tucker. She was determined to broaden our horizons and get us to that school. In triple-decker style, she stuffed twenty-odd students in until absolutely no space remained. Only one grade eight student remained. He climbed into the trunk because it was the only free space left. He held the lid loosely and we set out. Miss Tucker would yell “Are you all right back there?” and a choking “Yes” would answer.
Some say the inn was too dirty, too coarse, and too full of the self-centered for Jesus. Did he choose the manger because it was the only room that was as shameful as our own hearts? Was he born there because even those who feel unworthy might feel welcome?
Is Jesus still in the manger? Or have we made room for him in our lives?
Prayer: Jesus, we invite you to take your rightful place in us. Amen.
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