The Plan – Luke 2:7

Wake Up Call

It is our tradition on Christmas morning to read Luke 2 and have a small prayer time before we open gifts. Once as I was reading it I was struck by something that I never noticed before. There is a part in verse 7 which says; “and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Of course I’ve heard this preached a hundred times. But it struck me when I read it this time: Why wasn’t there room in the inn? We know God had this event planned since Adam sinned. Scripture tells us it happened in the fullness of time; meaning–everything was fully ripe. God is a detailed and practical God. He knew Jesus was destined to be born in Bethlehem therefore he inspired the census so Joseph and Mary had to go there. Why didn’t he arrange to have an open room at the inn?

Unfortunately my insight doesn’t answer that question. My insight is that when things don’t fall perfectly into place it doesn’t mean that God isn’t behind the plan or that we have somehow “missed” it. Sometimes God’s perfect plan is messy.

Mary and Joseph were right in the center of God’s will and plan and yet there was no room for them in the inn. We like it when all the pieces fit perfectly. Sometimes that happens. But I think as we grow in our walk with the Lord the waters often are muddier. That is actually a good thing. It helps us increase our faith.

Yep, that’s the plan.

 

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