I love it when all my children and families come home for Christmas.  In the wee hours of the night our house becomes strangely quiet and I begin to reminisce. Three little boys who grew up so quickly are back in their beds.  The same clock chimes its soothing sounds; blessing me that everyone is home once more.

            Our house is too small when it’s filled with loved ones.  Air mattresses and sleeping bags are all over the place.  I apologized for the lack of room to a daughter-in-love.  She responded with a statement I cherish, “It isn’t the size of your house.  It’s the size of your heart!”

            Think of the joy of seeing your children when they have been away a long time.  Your joy can hardly be contained.  God is like that.  Hearts who turn to him bring great joy.

            Connie’s statement reminded me what Christmas is all about and I think to myself: The  streets had to be crowded and dusty.   Joseph must have had many anxious thoughts concerning Mary.  They had come a long way and already Mary must have felt the first pains of childbirth.  As if the weariness were not enough, there was no room in the inn.  “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn”  (Luke 2:7)

            Humility characterized Jesus.  Our King could have been born in a palatial mansion.  Is that not the way of earthly kings?  The King of kings was born in a lowly stable.  His birth forever changed the course of human history. No other one has ever been or ever will be born who has had such an impact in the chain of world’s events.

            Kings have come and gone, but Jesus still reigns.  Jesus’ birth was prophesied centuries before he was born.  Here are just a few:

            “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”  (Isaiah 7:14 KJV).

            “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” Psalm 22:18 KJV)..

            “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2 KJV).

            As long as earth remains, Jesus will live in the hearts of those who will receive him.  His name is above all names.  I have said that name over our young sons whose bodies were hot and raging with fever at a midnight hour.  I have said that name over my grandparents and parents as they made their heavenly flight and the “Prince of Peace” brought beautiful peace.

            The believer’s heart will continue to be touched by the story of the Christ Child.  From the cradle to the grave the story will continue to be told.  Though centuries have passed for the present generation, he lives!  This one thing I know, God made us in his image and we are the objects of his incredible love.  That love goes beyond anything we can fathom.  The next time you feel unloved think about the love God has for you.  God never runs out of love.  It is eternal.

            It isn’t the size of your house, possessions, fortune or fame.  The gift of salvation is a free gift, a gift of love from the heart of God.  He only asks for our love and obedience.

            It’s like my Connie said, “It’s not the size of your house, but the size of your heart.”

            God must have an enormous heart because his love never ends.

            Merry Christmas Dear Reader!