Because there was no room for them in the inn.

Mary and Joseph were not the first people to find themselves outside the warmth of an inner sanctuary.  Lots of us have found ourselves outside in the cold darkness of a winter night, looking in on those who are warmed by the presence and laughter of others.

The Lord Jesus was not born to especially wealthy people.  He was not born to a powerful Roman family or to the high society of a Greek city.  He was born to Mary who was espoused to Joseph.  They had no special power or influence, no coffers of silver and gold to buy their way into a nice room.  They were ordinary folk.

Sleeping with the livestock was not so bad, though.  And it was better than trying to bed down on the street.  Especially since Mary was ready to give birth.  In fact, her condition may have won them a spot in the stable area.

That night, a miracle as great as the resurrection itself was taking place.  Jesus, the Son of God was coming into the world.  Amid the ordinariness and the hardship, God was pushing aside the curtains of time and space and stepping directly into human society in a way that had never happened before.  Jesus was born.

No special room or palace.  No grand procession of musicians, dancers and royalty.  No fireworks.  Just the birth of a baby boy.  Yet the miracle broke through all barriers of regular human conception.  Mary was a virgin, having never known a man.  And Joseph could only look on in wonder at what God was doing.

In some ways, things have not changed so much.  To this day God comes to us in the ordinariness of daily life.  In the middle of everyday struggles and ordinary events God does His wonders.  Often, we do not Feel anything happening until after the fact.  We may not see or hear anything unusual.  But God intervene to assist, to save, to turn a life around, to make the impossible happen again, as though it were no strange thing.

May the Lord, in His great kindness, give you miracles this season.  Not because it is Christmas or because it is winter.  But just because.  Because you have needed a miracle.  Because you have prayed for help.  And because the Lord of glory takes great delight in giving out kindness to everyone who asks and to all who need the help.

God’s very best to you this holiday season.  Amen.

Jim