It was just a knock at the door. The frazzled innkeeper in Bethlehem wasn't prepared. He had no advance warning. He had no idea this was going to be the most momentous night in all of human history.
For a few minutes, potential blessing and joy stood right there at his threshold. Christmas came right to his doorstep that night, and he missed it.
Why? Because he was too busy.
The innkeeper might have been the first, but he certainly wouldn't be the last person to miss an event of deep and lasting importance because something "urgent" got in the way.
Married couples can miss Christmas, too. I hear about it all the time—"It seems like the holidays just passed us by," they say—and that's why today, as we approach Dec. 25, I want to bring it to your attention.
Life can be hectic throughout the year. It takes a conscientious effort to prioritize our lives, even without the shopping, activities, and other preparations the holidays add. It's easy to become overwhelmed. We give our attention to the wrong things. We forget what's important.
But consider the shepherds and the wise men, two other participants in the Christmas story. What a contrast! The shepherds were uneducated, rustic laborers from the lowest rung of society. The wise men were educated elites. But both groups were key players in the story of Christ's birth. Why?
The answer is simple: It's because the shepherds and wise men were seeking God. The shepherds were out in the field when the angel appeared. They saw and heard the angelic proclamations, and once the heavenly host had departed, were quick to act on what the Lord had made known to them.
The shepherds were also seeking God. With a sense of anticipation, they followed the "star in the East" in hopes that they might worship the newborn King of the Jews (Matt. 2:2).
The shepherds listened to God's instructions and were quick to obey. The wise men were filled with hope, anticipation, and a desire to worship. Neither group let their duties or responsibilities prevent them from experiencing the glory of God.
They weren't mindlessly going through the motions but stayed in tune to the Spirit of God. They took time to establish a relationship with Him. They searched for Him. They listened. They obeyed. And because of that, they met the Savior of the world.
Don't miss Christmas this year—not as an individual, not as a couple, and not as a family. Decide now to make Christ a priority. Choose to seek Him this year, and refuse to let obligations and urgency get in the way.
There's a great blessing waiting on your doorstep this Christmas. It's Jesus, Christ the king! Don't let anything keep you from inviting Him in.
