Knotty Pine Gazette - A Christmas Devotion

"And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
"And the angel said to them (the shepherds), 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:7, 10-11 NAS
Christmas has finally arrived. We all eagerly await presents, brightly decorated trees, Christmas programs, presents, family gatherings, big dinners with all the trimmings, and, did I mention, presents. But on that first Christmas, what was it like for the baby Jesus? He was born in a stable. Have you ever been to a stable? They are smelly, dirty places even right after they are just cleaned and given fresh hay. And why was Jesus born there? Because there was no room for them in the inn. There was plenty of room in the inn. In fact there were homes and rooms all over Bethlehem that Mary could have used to give birth to Jesus, but no one would make room for them, for Him, Jesus.
Yet God gave us his most precious Gift, Jesus, then and there so that Jesus might give us a gift no one else could give us, His love, to be poured out on the cross for the full and total forgiveness of our sins. And some day Jesus will give us eternal life - life with Him forever. What a gift. What a Savior. What a Jesus!
A merry and joyous Christmas everyone!!!