One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a
room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper was not hostile; he was not
opposed to them, but his inn was crowded; his hands were full; his mind was
preoccupied. This is the answer that millions are giving today. Like a Bethlehem
innkeeper, they cannot find room for Christ. All the accommodations in their
hearts are already taken up by other crowding interests. Their response is not
atheism. It is not defiance. It is preoccupation and the feeling of being able
to get on reasonably well without Christianity. - Billy Graham
Carols stir us. Holy words inspire us. The golden glow from the manger warms us.
A little religion at Christmas is fine. But that glow in the manger comes from
the Light of the world. It exposes evil and either redeems it or destroys it.
The babe in the manger is far more than an object for sentimental sighs. He is
the Son of God who must be accepted as ruler - or confronted as rival. - John G.
Stackhouse, Jr.
Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit
upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces
to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to
your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete
joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We
are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say,
"Come Lord Jesus!" - Henri J. M. Nouwen
It is here, in the thing that happened at the first Christmas, that the most
profound unfathomable depths of the Christian revelation lie. God became man;...
the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than
lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and
taught to talk like any other child... The more you think about it, the more
staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the
incarnation. - James I. Packer
When therefore the first spark of a desire after God arises in thy soul, cherish
it with all thy care, give all thy heart into it; it is nothing less than a
touch of the divine loadstone, that is to draw thee out of the vanity of time,
into the riches of eternity. Get up therefore, and follow it as gladly as the
wise men of the east followed the star from heaven that appeared to them. It
will do for thee as the star did for them, it will lead thee to the birth of
Jesus, not in a stable at Bethlehem in Judea, but to the birth of Jesus in the
dark centre of thine own soul. - William Law
Jesus Christ became Incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that
man might stand before Him as He was created to do, the friend and lover of God
Himself. - Oswald Chambers
One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a
room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper was not hostile; he was not
opposed to them, but his inn was crowded; his hands were full; his mind was
preoccupied. This is the answer that millions are giving today. Like a Bethlehem
innkeeper, they cannot find room for Christ. All the accommodations in their
hearts are already taken up by other crowding interests. Their response is not
atheism. It is not defiance. It is preoccupation and the feeling of being able
to get on reasonably well without Christianity. - Billy Graham
Carols stir us. Holy words inspire us. The golden glow from the manger warms us.
A little religion at Christmas is fine. But that glow in the manger comes from
the Light of the world. It exposes evil and either redeems it or destroys it.
The babe in the manger is far more than an object for sentimental sighs. He is
the Son of God who must be accepted as ruler - or confronted as rival. - John G.
Stackhouse, Jr.
Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit
upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces
to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to
your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete
joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We
are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say,
"Come Lord Jesus!" - Henri J. M. Nouwen
It is here, in the thing that happened at the first Christmas, that the most
profound unfathomable depths of the Christian revelation lie. God became man;...
the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than
lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and
taught to talk like any other child... The more you think about it, the more
staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the
incarnation. - James I. Packer
When therefore the first spark of a desire after God arises in thy soul, cherish
it with all thy care, give all thy heart into it; it is nothing less than a
touch of the divine loadstone, that is to draw thee out of the vanity of time,
into the riches of eternity. Get up therefore, and follow it as gladly as the
wise men of the east followed the star from heaven that appeared to them. It
will do for thee as the star did for them, it will lead thee to the birth of
Jesus, not in a stable at Bethlehem in Judea, but to the birth of Jesus in the
dark centre of thine own soul. - William Law
Jesus Christ became Incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that
man might stand before Him as He was created to do, the friend and lover of God
Himself. - Oswald Chambers