By divine over-ruling, 'There was no room for them in the inn.' Three times in Luke 2, the words 'in the manger' significantly recur (v7, 12, and 16).

Arrival and departure were features of Eastern inns. Hustle and bustle. Animals, men, goods, noise, dirt and dust. Weariness, frayed tempers - as worn out travellers slumped in from their tiring journeys. Surely the Son of God should not be born in this place. Interestingly, the inn was full.

Mary and Joseph were directed to the stable, where the Son of God was born of His mother, the virgin Mary, who laid Him in a manger. Such an ill-fitting birth place for the Lamb of God.

We do not find the Lord amidst the comings and goings, the dust and dirt, the tempers and weariness. Only when we turn aside to the quietness of the manger will we find the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We respond so readily to calls to action, while disregarding those that bid us be quiet. 'In quietness and confidence shall be your rest.' 'Be still and see the salvation of our God.' 'There remains a rest for the people of God.' When busyness swamps us, take a day off for meditation.

Have you ever felt that life was so full, that you must go 'into the mountains to pray?' A wise use of time. The most sensible thing to do. Leave the busyness of the inn, and look 'into the manger.' There we find Jesus.

In South Korea many believers steal away to the mountains for up to forty days to spend time alone with their Lord. Should we emulate them?

When asked the secret of this past year, undoubtedly it was summed up in 'Looking unto Jesus.' I am more certain that every sin can be forgiven and cleansed by the Saviour: the Lord can help me face every difficulty: that He will supply all needed wisdom. I did not discover this in the busyness of the inn, but in the quietness of the manger. There I drew aside quietly, and met again the One born to be Saviour, and known as Immanuel (God with us). Here the Holy Scriptures lived.

Will you

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone -
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shall be
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see?

GWENDA