Luke 2: 6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
“THERE was no room for them in the inn.” That’s always bugged me. How could anyone turn a very pregnant woman from an inn and, instead, show her a stable to spend the night? What kind of culture was this to keep a pregnant woman from a nice bed? Somebody should have said, “Here. You can have my room. I’ll gladly give it up for you.” But no one did.
          There was no room for Mary, Joseph and no room for Jesus. That’s always bothered me, too. What kind of culture is the world to reject its Creator? How can we shut Jesus out, turn him away from our cold heart? He has so much warmth, love and peace to give. His ears listen; his hands heal. Even more his mouth speaks forgiveness and grace. His feet walk among the physically and spiritually poor. Mercifully, his eyes look into your eyes to invite, “Come, follow me.”
          But there’s hesitation. We love what Jesus offers. Even so, we’re not sure what or when we want to give back to him. We may even be prone to reply, “No room, Jesus. My schedule is full. I’m not ready, yet. Check down the street.”
          On that night in Bethlehem Jesus came knocking at the world’s door, and only a few poor shepherds came to see. But the gracious, wonderful thing is, he’s still knocking. Jesus hasn’t quit. Through the Holy Spirit the risen Lord still acts to open countless souls to his saving blood. In the power of God, our Lord Jesus is knocking on your life to say, “Let’s go show the world my love and peace. Let’s listen to people’s needs. The culture of the entire world needs healing, forgiveness and grace. We can walk among the nations to offer eternal wealth to the physically and spiritually poor.”
          Do you hear Jesus knocking? How will you respond? Will you lock the door more tightly? Or will you step out to join him as you declare, “Here, I have plenty of room in my life for you.”
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I offer you more room in my life today. In your name I trust, amen. 

Luke 2:4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
 
JOSEPH and Mary are on an 80-mile walk from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. The journey would take about 5 to 8 days, depending as you can imagine, on weather, congestion on the roadway and how everyone was feeling. These steps to Bethlehem are the next steps of God’s magnificent plan to save the world. 
     Consider here the centuries of promises and prophecies that had come to the Jews. The spoken and written word of God had been revealed from Abraham to Isaac to Joseph to Moses to Samuel to David to Isaiah to Daniel to Joseph and Mary. Wait, can we say “Joseph and Mary”, in the same breath with the mighty, godly heroes of Israel’s history? They seem to be uneducated, impoverished misfits, scared and just following the crowd.
     But they aren’t misfits. Joseph and Mary are surely as much a part of God’s plan of salvation as the mighty and famous. God puts people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and futures on a journey with him to bring salvation to the world. God takes “misfits” and fits them perfectly into his plan.
     That’s why he’s called you. Yes, you. You’re really not a misfit. You may think you are, but you’re not. When you say, “Yes, Lord. I will follow you.” you have spoken a life-changing commitment. No longer is your life your own to do as you please. In God’s grace, Jesus’ death and the Spirit-giving life, the Lord has begun in you a journey that goes step-by-step to perfectly walk with your personal, loving God.  He takes you to the places he has prepared to reveal his word and to enlarge his kingdom. Such places could be as Joseph and Mary –  a crowded town, a stinky stable, a sheep pasture, a rocky road, a mountain top, a fertile plain or a cross. Yes, there is that promise from Jesus that you will fit into the Kingdom of God when you “take up your cross”. (Mark 8:34) Joseph’s and Mary’s cross included a pre-marital pregnancy, a hard journey, a primitive birth place for their son, a flight to Egypt to protect him and a daily responsibility to look after the Son of God. In the Spirit’s power, they fit well into their mission, and so will you.
     God’s salvation makes you his. I pray you enjoy the wonder of your journey with him all the way to heaven.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the ways you fit me into your salvation plan for the world. Amen.
 

Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
 
THESE words seem fairly simple. Orders are given; it’s time to go pay the tax. But when you read these words, do you see the very bad news here? More taxes are certainly bad news for such poor Jews as Joseph and Mary. But the bad news goes deeper than money. It goes to the very soul of a nation. Rome rules Israel is as bad as news can be. Caesar Augustus and Quirinius are Romans. Rome controlled Israel. Israel’s people were subject to Rome’s intention to move as much wealth out of the country as possible to help fund Rome’s domination.
     Another aspect of this passage represents a point in history. Luke wants to give evidence of the timeframe, day and month (actually October) when Jesus was born. The more deliberate he can be of the circumstances around that time, the more we can trust Jesus truly was born in Bethlehem. This also helps historically define Jesus’ ministry time, his death, his resurrection and his ascension. One fact helps lead to another. True steps lead to the true God.
     The truth is, God sent his Son into the midst of political oppression at just the right time and into the right circumstances. It may seem odd our Lord would come when Rome ruled. But God turned the bad news into good news. He actually used Rome’s bondage over Israel as a means to spread the gospel into the world and to begin his church. The Roman Empire would actually be tolerant for a time of this new religion. Many of the new churches were founded within its borders. The Roman government would be a refuge to the early apostles as they escaped from the hatred of the Jews, who were the first persecutors of Christ’s church. In addition, Rome’s good roads and effective mail system would help transmit the gospel. too.
     Consider, also, that the oppressive nation Rome would later become one of the first nations to proclaim Christianity as an acceptable religion. In these ways, the “bad news nation” became a “good news nation”.
God is sovereign. He raises governments and deposes governments for his purposes. Certainly we can see much bad news in our nations. Let’s keep our eyes focused, though, on God. He will use all things for the good of his Kingdom come one day to earth.
    
Prayer: Lord, use our governments as a means of spreading the good news. Amen.

Luke 1:80 and the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
 
HE lived in the desert? Isn’t John supposed to be someone really special, born to point the way to Jesus? You’d think God would pamper him and let him grow up with good home cooking, a nice bed to sleep in and good friends all around. Why the desert?
     “Why?” could be a weak question when it comes to understanding God’s role in our lives and seeing his purposes. Usually it comes with an attitude of, “I can do better than this.” But if asked with humility and desire to truly turn aside our view and seek God’s answer, “Why?” can be a very strong question. If we are prepared to adjust our lives to the “Why?” we will grow more deeply in our understanding and love of our Father in Heaven.
     To answer the question, then, let’s first consider plants that grow in the desert. Desert plants look different from those in other habitats. They are often spiny, almost always tiny-leafed, and rarely “leaf green.” We have some cactus in our flower bed, and I surely know where they come from! Why are they so different? It is because God has formed them to grow and multiply in drought and heat. They need to be different to survive and thrive, don’t they?
     In this manner, the desert actually may be the perfect place to strengthen John into God’s purpose for him. Notice how the verse says, “the child grew and became strong in the Spirit”. God is forming John to be different than other people. He will only thrive and multiply his mission if has a sure faith rooted in God. John will be different and look different. God forms him this way in order to challenge the norm, call people to repent of their sins and point to Jesus. In the desert, as with Elijah, (see 1 Kings 17) John experienced God’s strengthening power to become the man God made him to be.
     Are you perhaps wondering why you are in a “desert” in your life? Do you have friends asking you, “Why is my life so difficult?” The Bible often tells us that such times in our lives are God’s time to shape us more closely to him. When there is little of the world to hold onto, we can turn and hold fast to the steadfast God. Seeing the desert from God’s view, you can turn the “Why?” into “Why not?” With “God lenses” you can look into the desert and see your life uniquely shaped to bloom in new ways for God’s Kingdom.
     Perhaps you may feel, “All of my life seems to have been a desert time.” Maybe, then, you are blessed more than the rest of us! You have had more opportunities to see God more clearly than we. Believe that the desert times are the times God is waiting for you to turn to him and say, “I can’t do this on my own, Father. I want to hold onto you.”
 
Prayer: Thank you for the desert, Father. May I blossom in you. Amen.
 

Luke 1:76-79 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.
 
IN the latter 19th and early 20th centuries, the circus was a celebrated form of entertainment. Before a circus would arrive for their performance in a town, the circus public relations people would go into the towns with large brightly-colored posters. These were the “preview of coming attractions” as the promoters would nail them to any flat surface. “The Big Event” is here next week! Get ready.”
     From the posters and past experiences, people’s hearts grew in expectation of the circus wonders they would soon enjoy. Then the circus entered town with a colorful, noisy parade to say, “We’re here! The shows begin tomorrow. Huge tents soon changed the town’s landscape. The town was transformed in a matter of hours, turning an ordinary day into one extraordinary.
     God sent many prophets, many “public relations” people to “nail the posters” and announce his Son would come to transform the world. His people had lived for centuries in expectation of the Messiah. Now God is sending the “parade” in the form of John to literally point to the Lord Jesus and say, “He’s here!”
     Jesus will come and perform his mighty work. He will transform the world from ordinary to extraordinary. Salvation through the forgiveness of sins will guide his people and you out of darkness into the light. Reading of God’s gracious salvation promises throughout the Bible is a celebration of the Big Event.
     Are you excited Jesus has come? Are you one announcing he’s coming again? Everyone needs to know something special and wonderful has “come to town”. All must know Jesus is coming again. Isn’t God wonderful to advertise his glory, so you can experience him?
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for announcing, “Jesus is coming!” Thank you, Jesus for telling us, “I am coming again.” I pray I am prepared for this magnificent event. I pray all I know and love are prepared, too. Amen.

Luke 1:67-75 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvations from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
 
REMEMBER the moment that something amazing has happened to you. You’ve passed a test you’ve failed 7 times before. You have given birth to a long-awaited child. You have scored the winning points in a championship game. You are experiencing a very, very special victory in your life, and nothing can contain your joy.
     That is Zechariah’s emotion here. For centuries, centuries, God has promised a “horn of salvation” – one who will be powerful to save his people. Zechariah knows that the prophesied horn of salvation is not his son John, but he knows his people are on the verge of witnessing the Great Arrival of the Savior so long promised.
     Feel the joy. Feel the release from fear. Feel the hope. Oh yes, there is hope in Zechariah’s voice. Do you hear it?  “74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable us to serve him without fear.” Throw away the fear, cast out those who harm us. They won’t be able to harm us again – ever! Zechariah is experiencing God’s grace. God’s gift of a Savior is freeing him to life. God’s Savior is coming, and he is celebrating by telling the Good News of great joy. 
 
Prayer: Excite my heart each day, Lord God, that you have sent to me your Savior! Amen.

Day 23: Luke 1:66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord's hand was with him.
 
“CAN I give you a hand?” I love it when people ask me that. It means they have care and concern for me. They want to lighten my work and help me complete it more quickly. An extra hand at the right time is a wonderful blessing.
     The Lord’s hand was on John. God had miraculously delivered this new baby boy to John’s aging, barren mother and priest father. People knew John’s life was a special miracle and a loving sign from God. They were feeling God say to them, “I’m here to give you my hand.”
     In the book of Acts, another book Luke wrote, he uses the same phrase: Acts 11:21 “The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” God had sent his Spirit to begin his church. The only way the church could begin was for God’s hand to powerfully change the hearts of both the apostles and those whom God had chosen to hear the gospel message, “Jesus saves. Repent. Believe in him.”
     “The Lord’s hand” and another phrase “The hand of God” are references to his power to protect, guide and care for his people. God does not sit by with his hands folded to merely watch you live your life. He ignites your life into a new creation. The Holy Spirit offers his hand to you, and says, “Here, take it. I’ll pull you up. I’ll keep you from falling. I’ll use my power to care for you. I’ll lead you to good places. Be at ease. Be confident. I’m here loving you. Here, take my hand.” When you pick up your Bible, look for God’s hand. It’s there on every page waiting to help you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your warm, loving, powerful hand.
 
 .
 

Luke 1:62-65 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.
 
IN awe they were talking about “these things”. The “things” were the miracles in Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s life. These remarkable things were big news. Headline news, breaking news – whatever the term is today to grab our attention truly defines the news around John’s birth. Facebook, Twitter, and every other communication app would have been flooded with “these things”.  Yes, this family was big news.
     And how would they talk about these wonderful things? Would they say Zechariah and Elizabeth finally got themselves a baby? Would they say, “Did you hear about Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s good luck? They got their baby boy! They called him Jehochanan. The name means the grace and mercy of Yahweh – what luck!”
     No, they would have talked of God. They called him Yahweh. He is the “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). He is the infinite, personal God, who is the origin of everything. Yes, God has broken into this family to say to Judea, “Here I am! I love you, and I have something grand for you. I have made the impossible happen in this family, and this is a sign for all of you! More impossibles are about to come”
     That “more” is his Savior, who entered into Judea a few months later in Bethlehem. From Judea the news of “these things” has spread throughout the ages and across the globe and to you this very day.
     What now is your response? Have you spoken of “these things” on Facebook and Twitter, etc.? Do you talk of God? Yes, go ahead and talk of his wonders in your life. Talk of the life he has given you. Talk of God’s grace to give you his Son. Talk of God’s love to send you the Holy Spirit to live in you. Talk praise and awe. Tell your church, tell your friends, tell your family and tell the world of God’s good news to come and save you.
 
Prayer: I open my mouth to speak of your great miracles in my life, Lord. Thank you for Jesus, for your Spirit and for your love. Amen.

Luke 1:59-61 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
 
WHAT’S in a name? What does it matter which name this little boy has? Yes, God through his messenger Gabriel told dad Zechariah to name him John. And obviously Zechariah had written it down for his Elizabeth to know. But what does it matter?
     The matter of the right name indicates something about God. This is the something we need to know: God always acts to point us to him, even with these seemingly small details. Names in the Hebrew culture mean a great deal. To us, “John” doesn’t seem that special. To Zechariah, Elizabeth, the Jews nation and to God “John” means a great deal.
     “John” in Hebrew is written Jehochanan or Yªhowchanan and means “the grace or mercy of Yahweh.” John is so named because he was to go to the Jews and announce the God of all grace was about to step into the world! Grace and Mercy would come in the flesh to save the world from sin.
     Powerful, isn’t it? Each time his parents, relatives and friends would say “John”, they would be reminded that God had a very special plan for his life. John is the great Announcer of God’s mercy, and he will personally point to the Messiah. He is the last of a long line of Old Testament prophets who announced God’s promise in the form of such magnificent Scripture as Isaiah 9:5-7 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
     Joyfully, the zeal of the Lord God has brought John to earth to announce His Son. Hear what John will announce: “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" (John 1:23). “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.” (John 1:32) “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) These announcements revealed Jesus to his first disciples, and they began to follow him.
     Yes, God loves you so much he worked out all the details of your salvation. All Scripture announces God’s salvation for his disciples. Will you follow Jesus, too?
 
Prayer: Open my mouth Father to declare, “See Jesus is the Savior of the world. Confess him. Repent and follow him.” In Jesus’ love, amen.
 

Luke 1:57-58 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
 
JOY is a little word with big meaning. Joy is anticipating a trip to see our grandchildren, and joy is hugging them, listening to them read and playing a game with them. Joy is in our hearts because we love them very, very much.
     But there is another aspect of joy we have toward our grandchildren. That joy is expressed toward God in a feeling of thankfulness God has given to us such treasures. Even though it’s sad when we leave them and go home – even a short distance today - the joy remains because of our deep love for them and for God, who in his great kindness, has given them to us.
     As Elizabeth gave birth to a son of whom she had lost hope of having, she and her friends expressed great joy. They were in awe and delight of God’s gift of this baby boy. This was a miracle! Their joy was an expression of a grateful heart for the son and great love toward God in his tender mercy.
     True joy comes to our lives when we understand the Great Miracle God has given us in the gift of his Son. Jesus brings release from pain and sorrow forever. He frees us from sin’s joy-robbing destruction into Heaven’s unstoppable joy for all eternity. Oh, how our God shows his tender mercy to offer his joy to us!
     When we understand this in our hearts, life’s trials seem smaller. Irritations diminish, aggravations go away, patience grows, and love prospers. An eternal smile grows on our hearts as we settle our minds into the joy of God’s great gift of salvation through Jesus. As you think of how God is merciful to you, I pray you feel this joy in your heart each day as you declare and believe, “I am saved in Jesus’ blood.”
 
Prayer: O what joy I feel, Father. I lift up my heart, my hands, my mind to say, “Thank you!” Amen.