"Don't Miss Jesus"

 Luke 2 1-7

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed [a]wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a [b]manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

    In past years, I always sent out blogs to help regain our thoughts during our major holiday breaks. With the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, it was suspended. However, I want to share again and place it on all of our hearts an important thought. This thought is sometimes needed during the holiday season as we have so many distrac. The thought is " Don't Miss Jesus"!

    I can say that I am guilty of being caught up in the hustle and bustle of the world's pace. We go until we can't go anymore and burn ourselves out, especially during holiday seasons. It seems as if everyone is on "edge" and stressed out. However, I am here to help remind us slow down a bit so we don't miss JESUS. 

In the text of Luke, the story takes us to an inn keeper that is so much like us. I can only imagine how busy things were at the time because of the decree that was sent out by Caesar Augustus. No different from many of our lives daily. As many that have heard the story, we miss out on one of the main characters of the story, the inn keeper. The inn keeper had the perfect opportunity to meet the "King of Kings", however being distracted and caught up with world around him, he missed JESUS. As we are out about, we see stores and businesses taking the Christ out of Christmas and replacing with a "X". NO! I am firm believer that everything happens for a reason and it was a reason why he had to be born in a manger. By doing so, JESUS exhibits humility and relates to the common man with  the lack of such  royal treatment by being born in a manger.

How did everyone else know to look for him and not the inn keeper? How can he allow an opportunity of a lifetime pass?

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us not get caught up in the daily worldly chaos that we miss Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas. I pray all of you have a blessed Christmas and take the time to enjoy family! Let us all make sure we have room for JESUS so we don't miss him.