Devotions by Ralph Chambers
Christmas

Christmas Newsletters

NO VACANCY

• And.. She laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

I assume that it is a common experience of most travelers, wearied by a long day of travel to have difficulty finding suitable lodging for the night. Motel after motel will be displaying a "No vacancy" sign and we must continue on.

How much worse it must have been for Joseph and Mary when they arrived in Bethlehem that night so long ago and discovered that the inn was full. The journey had not been made in a comfortable automobile with "Torsion bar suspension" and "Coil springs" but on the jolting back of a donkey. Added to the discomfort of their Journey was the disquieting thought that there would be no warm room and bed for the birth of Mary's babe, the only begotten Son of God. There was "No room in the inn," for the Christ child. Today, a similar situation is being repeated in the lives of many people.

Patiently Jesus pleads,

• "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any hear My voice and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me." (Revelation. 3:20)

But the No Vacancy sign of self-will is prominently displayed by thousands who have closed their hearts to the Savior. How He longs for all who have been turning Him away to replace the words, "No room available" with an inviting "WELCOME." On that memorable night almost 2000 years ago there was no place for Jesus in the inn. May it not be said of you today, dear friend, that there is no room in your heart for Christ! Let Him come in right now.

December 4, 1975

TWO SIDES OF THE CHRISTMAS COIN

• "God so loved He gave-" "As many as received Him---"

The emphasis at Christmas time is upon giving and this is a worthy emphasis. God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish---. From our pulpits many sermons will be preached on God's great Gift to the world. So Christmas time is a giving time. But, remember that the gift without the giver is bare.

The bible also reminds us that God loves the cheerful giver. It isn't always the value of the gift that counts and endears the gift to the receiver - it is the spirit in which it is given. Sometimes our giving of expensive gifts prove to be detrimental to the receiver who may be less able to afford expensive gifts but will feel under obligation to reciprocate.

God's great Gift was given out of pure love and without question is of such value that none of us can ever reciprocate with a like gift. Neither does God expect us too. And so we come to the other side of the Christmas coin - receiving the Gift. This is all God expects us to do and our rejection of Christ grieves the heart of God. Have you ever had someone to refuse to accept a gift from you?? Remember how you felt? Now, think of how God must feel when men refuse to accept the most precious Gift ever given to man.

Yes, there are two sides to the Christmas coin. Have you ever noticed how happy it makes the one who gives you a gift? NOW, think of the happiness in heaven when you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord and if you have not done this, do so at once. Would you want it to be said of you as it was said of the Jews by John in his Gospel?? "He came unto His own and His own received Him not?"

November 30, 1972

IS IT ARTIFICIAL OR REAL?

• "Go and search diligently for the young child and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." Matthew 2:8

Of course, Herod had no intention of worshipping the Christ Child. His heart was black with sin and his one purpose in finding the babe of Bethlehem was to have him killed. His pretension of desiring to pay homage to God's greatest gift to man-kind was only a lie intended to gain knowledge of the whereabouts of Christ to facilitate his own plans of murder. Self was the only God that Herod worshipped and woe be unto anyone that sought or seemed to seek a place higher in authority or the esteem of men than himself.

About this time of year our thoughts are once again turned toward our celebration of the birth of Christ. Decorations are being put up to symbolize our joy and expectation of this old and yet ever new event. Plastics, tin-foil, and tinsel representations of the genuine will be used extensively, partly for economy and partly for safety and convenience purposes. Many of these artificial displays will look so genuine that many will ask the question, "Is it artificial or real?"

Now, I see no particular harm in the use of artificial decorations for the Christmas season. The thing that concerns me is the attitude of the heart. Is our display of decorations and bright colorful lights an outward picture of the joy and anticipation of Christ? Or is it just an artificial display intended to draw attention to our artistry? Or to conceal the real attitude of our heart toward Christ?

Herod robbed himself of the real joy of that first Christmas by refusing to yield to the authority of Christ. We will also miss the true joy of Christmas if our life has not been submitted to Christ. Will your Christmas be artificial or real?

December 2, 1970