Preoccupied.

 As we enter into the Christmas season and draw closer and closer to Christmas day, I can't help but to think about the birth of Jesus. How His parents had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem because a census was ordered by the Roman Emperor. That distance was only about five miles, but could you imagine traveling those five miles nine months pregnant, riding on a camel? Only to get to Bethlehem and find out there was no room at the inn. The only place available for Mary to give birth was a stinky, filthy old stable. 

Now do you suppose that the innkeeper had it in for Mary and Joseph? Do you think that he turned them away because she was pregnant? Had a hard heart, or was hostile towards them for even asking such a question. 

I doubt it.

I think that he was preoccupied with what was going on. His inn was over crowded, his hands were full with other people looking for rooms. The baby they were about to have was of no concern of his. Oh, how little did he know, right!

Unfortunately, many of  us are like this. We are to preoccupied with other things to welcome Christ into our lives. People aren't necessarily opposed to Him. Or even hate Him. They are just to preoccupied to be concerned about spiritual matters.

I ask you, how many are so devoted to the perfect meal and presents and preoccupied with the details that you forget about what the day is really all about.

Luke 10:40 Amplified Bible

40 But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.”

This story could be so many of us today. How many of us could have Jesus over and then be so preoccupied about how clean the house is. Get out the good silverware. Use the good china. We do all of this instead of spending time with The Lord.

Luke 7:46-47 The Message

Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

How many of us are just to caught up in everything going on around us and what needs to be done that we take Jesus' presence for granted. We know He is there, we just don't acknowledge Him like we should. He is after all the reason for the season. Presents are nice. Family meals are nice, but Jesus is so much better!

So I urge you this Christmas season, take a break from all of the hustle and bustle and spend time with your Savior. Rest in His arms, bask in His glorious presence! He is worthy of it all. After all, He is the perfect gift that God gave to us.

John 3:16 New Living Translation

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

May you all have a Merry Christmas!

Rev. Kev.