Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

At this time of the year shopping centres or plazas are crowded with people - shoppers and window shoppers.

Turn the clock back to 2,000 years ago. Crowds were streaming into Bethlehem a town some seven miles south of Jerusalem. Amongst the crowd were a simple humble couple - Mary and Joseph. They were responding to the decree sent out by Caesar Augustus, the ruler in Rome to return to their ancestral homes to register.

Rome was unpopluar with the Jewish people, but they had no choice but to comply to this decree, enacted for the purpose of taxation. What could a subject people do, but to obey the law.

Mary the expectant mother and Joseph her husband looked everywhere for shelter to no avail. Everywhere the rooms were full. "Sorry no room" was the message they recieved. We feel sorry for the innkeeper who has become the target of criticisms of preachers through the years. Really the place was full, he could not turn the other guests out. No heavenly messenger had come to reveal to him who these two strangers were.

In the end the only place available for him to allocate was the stable where the animals were kept. To us living today accustomed to modern amenities of life, this offer of accomodation seemed so cruel and degrading. But to the couple this offer may have been a blessing in disguise. The shelter, probably a cave would have been warmed by the body heat of the animals. It gave central heating on that cold night! They would be away from the crowds and be assurred of privacy. There the humble Jesus was born.

We may not have the means or the ability to get to Bethlehem to worship Christ, but we can where we are right now kneel before Him in humble adoration. Make room for Jesus Chrst right now.

O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.