My family has been reading a book called Treasures of the Snow
Have you ever reached the end of a long journey and not been able to find a place to stay the night? What if your wife was ready to deliver a baby? That is just what happened to Joseph and Mary. “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 (KJV) In our modern times, we can go to the nearest hospital.
Joseph had no such option for his wife, Mary. Bethlehem was very busy at the time of their arrival because of the Roman census. All the rooms were taken and “there was no room for them in the inn.” They probably knocked on a lot of doors, but no one took them in until this “barn” was made available. Here it was that the Lord Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary knocked and knocked, but no one had room for the Christ Child. No one had room for Him! (One of such great importance!)
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with me.” Rev 3:20 (KJV)
Jesus speaks these words, recorded in Revelation, to the church at Laodecea. (Read Revelation 3:14-22) He has just given this church a stern warning. The reason he does this is in verse 19. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Rev 3:19 (KJV) You might be asking yourself, what does this have to do with Mary and Joseph? They were knocking on doors so that Jesus could come into this world. Nobody would make room for them, except for some unnamed person who let them use their “barn.”
I think that Jesus is still knocking at doors in our churches. Who’s door is He knocking on? Those whom he loves. Those who are lukewarm and in need of repentance. Jesus tells us that he will come in when we open the door. He also promises, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev 3:21 (KJV)
Look to the Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas season. If he is knocking at your heart, open the door and let him in. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 (KJV)
May God bless you and your household this Christmas season.