Room

Hi friends

Just finished with the second of our two Carol services.  Thank God for all the new faces and the opportunity to sow ‘life’ seed into hungry hearts.  To God be the Glory and praise!  Let me share with you what I spoke on this evening.

The Gospel of Mark is amazing in the way it gets off the mark (no pun intended!).  There is no reference to what we know as the nativity story, as found in Matthew and Luke; or any mystical leanings as found in the introduction to the Gospel of John.  Mark dives straight in, quoting the Prophet Isaiah, “Prepare the way for the Lord!”  This reminds me of my favourite Carol.  ‘Joy to the world’ and the line, ‘Let every heart prepare Him ROOM!’ (I know you had the tune in your head as you read the lyric!!)

The famous Christmas story tells us that when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, there was NO ROOM in the inn.  Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man grows up and as the world groans for a saviour Jesus begins His salvation ministry.  As he goes around a very small part of planet earth mankind and history conspire to declare that there is NO ROOM for a loving God and His message of love.  Jesus is crucified after just three years of ministry and service.  But He does not stay dead!  He is the resurrection and the life and as His Spirit of life ministers in our world this very day our crowded hearts and minds, schedules and programmes declare to God, ‘I am sorry but I have NO ROOM for you!’

My fellow travelers, time is short, life is hard and we are weary.  Let us make every effort to ‘Prepare Him ROOM’ this Christmas for He is the only one who can lead us into the freedom and ROOM we all long for.  Only He can lead us into a good and spacious land!!

God bless you and yours this Christmas and throughout 2010,

Love in Christ

Seán and Susan