Thank you for taking time out of Christmasing to read this. I promise to be brief.

Sentiment towards Jesus has really remained the same between 2000 years ago, when he was born, and today. He is so not welcome.

As a toddler, King Herod tried to kill him. Who knows if Herod really believed that he was the one the prophets spoke about. His ego was touched, so Jesus had to go. Thirty-three years later, the Jewish leaders did succeed to get rid of Jesus (or so they thought), all because egos were bruised once more.

To be honest, his birth gave clear indication of how his life was going to be. Thousands of years of prophecies and waiting for the King of kings, but when he finally arrives, there is no room for him. He was born in a stable and placed in a feeding trough to sleep.

Forget all those nativity plays where Joseph, Mary and Jesus look so clean and happy and the atmosphere is almost romantic. There is nothing jolly about giving birth to your first child while inhaling animal poo. There is nothing sweet about spending your first night on earth smelling of animal feed.

Today, in 2020, there is still no room for Jesus. It’s quite funny: Many people want him yet disdain him with equal measure (no, perhaps even greater measure). So, Jesus is stuck outside, knocking at the door. Hear him knock. Don’t say there’s no room.

He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.
(Luke 2:34-35)