Read:

John 1:10-11, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

Luke 2:7, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Think:

Hustle and bustle was crazy in Bethlehem. Store owners and vendors had stocked and positioned themselves to make a profit from the census. Every available bed, hotel, inn was full.

Our imagination stirs with the thought of the discussion between Mary, Joseph and the innkeeper. He callously turned away a heavily pregnant girl after riding a donkey into town because he was unaware God was visiting Earth. The innkeeper would never have sent God into the cold, and people would have laughed at the thought of the Messiah laying in a manger in the arms of a teenager. They were just too busy. They weren’t evil — just busy. They weren’t blind — they just weren’t looking.

How can you slow down this season and look for Jesus to show up in your life? He wants to.

Act:

Today, let’s live expectantly. Expect Jesus to show up. Find Jesus in small things. Show Jesus in small acts.

Pray:

Jesus, help me to be still. Help me be aware of Your presence today. Amen.