When we think of the Christmas story many characters come to mind. Certainly, front and center are Mary and Joseph as they make their journey to Bethlehem and seek a place for the birth of the Christ Child. Just imagine how weary they must have been. How anxious they must have been to find a safe place for Mary to have her baby. How disappointed they must have been to be turned away at the inn, but how resourceful to take up residence in the stable.

We often refer to the shepherds who received the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus. No annual Christmas drama would be complete without the shepherds who went with haste to find the Christ Child. We should follow the example of these shepherds.

Luke 2:17 says that when the shepherds had seen Jesus, they gave witness of this awesome birth. The Scripture states, "... they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." Likewise, we should be making known abroad what we know about Jesus. We ought to tell everyone about the Christ and what he has done in saving us and giving us the gift of eternal life.

We are impressed by the wise men who traveled a great distance in search of this new King who had been born. Their journey was one of faith, obedience and wisdom. Their faith and obedience prepared them to anticipate the signs and to respond with unique commitment as they followed the star.

They were indeed wise, as attentive to the leadership of God; they went home a different way rather than return to tell the murderous king, Herod, where he might find the Child King.

By the way, have you ever thought about the fact that once you have been introduced to Jesus you go home a different way than when you came?

The angels with their proclamation of joy fill our hearts with wonder. What must the shepherds have thought? "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men'" Luke 2:13-14. The birth of Christ in Bethlehem was an event that joined heaven and earth like no other event in human history. Simultaneously, the beings of heaven and earth rejoiced, praised and worshiped God.

The Gospel according to Luke does not speak specifically of the innkeeper but we know he is there. The Scripture simply says that Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). The innkeeper had the opportunity of the ages to invite into his home the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he missed it.

The event literally occurred in his back yard and he missed it! The difference was in two words. When Mary and Joseph inquired for a room in his inn, the innkeeper said, "No room." In those words he missed the blessing. Just imagine the difference if instead of those two words he had said two other words: "Come in."

Now two thousand years later we see the same thing everyday. With the Gospel being preached literally in people's back yard, with the influence of Christ seen everywhere in the world, there are still people who say, "No room." How heaven and earth would rejoice if they would change those words to "Come in!" If people could only understand that their lives would be forever changed if they would simply say to Jesus, "Come in."

Let's keep telling people about Jesus, just as the shepherds did. The joy of Christmas is not to be discovered only on December 25th, but throughout the year as we tell the story of Christ and His love and see new believers trusting Christ by faith.

Janice, our family and I wish for you and your family the most wonderful Christmas ever. May God bless you with incredible peace through our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.