Born Where?

Good Morning,

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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.

The other night I was surfing a bit to find something that wasn't totally ridiculous to watch on the television (it's SO difficult to find programs that have any redeeming values whatever!) when I came upon a Discovery channel program about Jesus, His life, and His death. First thing I'd like to mention here is that it certainly wasn't a religious kind of program, more of a history thing that they did. I mean, God forbid! that they might possibly mention the true reason for Jesus to be born. But then, that's another message.

What I learned from this program was that there are different interpretations of what the Bible says, even in something so simple as placing the Christ Child in a manger, because the inn had no room available to Joseph and Mary. These Discovery Channel folks went into some details about how the "inn" probably wasn't really what we would call an inn and could have another meaning. They spoke about the "fact" that the stable we think of as Jesus' birth place maybe wasn't a stable at all, but perhaps just a basement room in a house, or maybe a cave, or something else entirely. I didn't really find what they were talking about offensive as they never made any claims that Jesus wasn't the Messiah. I just was sort of fascinated by all of the different interpretations of this word or that word, this sentence being placed here or there, how something could have another meaning other than what is widely accepted.

The thing that struck me most, however, was that no matter how we interpret the where and how of the place Jesus was born, or if there were animals there or not, or any other minutiae that is mentioned in the Gospels, the reason WHY Jesus was born, lived, and died does not change. That, my friends, is the absolute bottom line.

Jesus came to this earth for you, for me, and for all mankind to have the opportunity to accept Him into our lives as Lord and Savior. Thus, by the grace of God, to be forgiven of our sin...as Jesus became the propitiation for our sin...and to be able to spend eternity with Him in heaven. This is the all important fact that we need to know. Not whether Jesus was born in a stable, or a cave, or a cellar, or someplace else.

Then, after thinking about this, it also came to me how much even various denominations and sects of Christianity can't seem to agree on some points of the Bible. You believe that this detail is of all important value and I believe that the detail you speak of says something entirely different. Some feel that worship needs to be on this day and then others think that the Bible is clear that it should be on another day. Oh, the details and their meaning; their interpretation. Even to whether or not one is right or wrong to clasp hands together in prayer or if it's better to raise one's hands to God in prayer. Sometimes it's almost as silly as the old song about "You say tomato, and I say tomahto" you know? And, you know what? All of the differences and disagreements we might have with this or that mean nothing. At least they mean nothing when compared to the common thing that we ALL believe: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD AND SAVIOR! HE IS THE MESSIAH!

In a couple of days we will celebrate the most important event that has ever occurred in the history of our planet, perhaps other than the creation of the world itself. Some of us will sing "Happy Birthday Jesus" and others of us will be much more solemn in the way we observe the birth of Jesus. But how we commemorate His birth means nothing compared to the fact that we do remember why we do it.

It is normal to give a person a gift at the celebration of their birthday. Why don't we try to give Jesus what could be the greatest gift of all...unity. A totally undivided and completely united Church which strives only to fulfill all of what Jesus taught while He walked the earth among us. Yes, a long term goal and one that will be difficult to reach, I agree. But it is a goal we ought to give ourselves over to. I think God would like that.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David