The Christmas story reminds us that we don't have to clean up our lives before we make room for Jesus to enter our hearts.
Jesus existed with God before the beginning of time. For love of us, Jesus was willing to leave the glory of heaven to come to earth to live in human form. Jesus entered a world unfit for his royal presence. He was born in an animal shelter and His cradle was their feeding trough. The animal shelter was likely poorly lit and would have smelled strongly of the animals and their food.
Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea … He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. (Luke 2:4-7 NLT)
God comes to us in the muck and mire of our daily existence and says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28 NIV)
God’s plan of redemption, through Jesus, began on that first Christmas. Jesus came to pay the penalty for forgiveness of our sin and to restore us to eternal life. No matter how unworthy we believe ourselves to be, the truth is, God desires to make His home with us. He awaits our invitation.
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV)
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, Let Your light shine in my heart. Forgive me for my sins and let me inherit eternal life. Come into my heart and make me new. Fill me to overflowing with your love and goodness so I can share the good news of Your salvation with others. Amen
©2018 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/
Audio for Hospitality At Christmas
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.