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 school some miles away. It was too far to walk. Our parents thought such a trip to be frivolous. (Every student was blessed to attend class because we were often pulled from class to help with lagging farm work. Even as a six-year-old, I often drove the team 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 committed to getting every one of us to that school. She stuffed twenty odd students in — triple-decker style — till absolutely no room remained. The one remaining climbed into the only place still free — the trunk. 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-centred for Jesus to be born in it. Perhaps though, He chose the only place where there was room — the manger — where even the lowliest might feel welcome, because it was a spot as shameful as our own hearts.

Is Jesus still in the manger? Or have we made room for Him in our lives?

Prayer: Jesus, we invite You today to take Your rightful place in us. Amen.

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About the author:

Brenda Wood <brenda.w@nextcom.ca>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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