“Sorry, no room”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. When Elizabeth had her baby, everyone thought he would be given the name of someone in the family, but Zechariah wrote his name for everyone to see. As he wrote the name “John,” Zechariah suddenly began to speak again.

At that time, Emperor Augustus ordered everyone to be registered in their family’s hometown.

So Mary and Joseph, who were engaged to be married, left their hometown of Nazareth and went to register in Bethlehem—the birthplace of King David.

When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, the small town was overcrowded because of the many people who had come to register there. The time had come for Mary to have her baby, but there was no room for them to stay in the inn. Eventually, Mary and Joseph found a place for the baby to be born, and Mary wrapped Him in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger.

Why was Jesus not born in a palace?

Jesus came to earth as a humble servant to show us that God cares for everyone—even the least and lowliest people on earth. Jesus made Himself nothing and took on the humble position of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He, the King of kings, willingly came to serve—not to be served. Jesus was laid in a feeding trough for animals, showing how humbly He came into the world.

Imagine Mary and Joseph coming to you that night, looking for a place to stay. What would you have done? Would you have made room for them? What about now? Some people’s hearts are so jam-packed with their own selfish desires that they have no room for Jesus. Have you invited Jesus in and let Him make Himself at home in your heart?

Verse for today

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

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