The leader at a recent Sunday morning service included, in the opening prayer, thanks for some of the many blessings we enjoy. Some items included a warm bed in which to sleep, a warm home and food and clothing. Possibly, some of us in the congregation were grateful that the prayer continued with consideration of those who didn’t enjoy some or all of those blessings including the homeless. As I listened, the words of an old hymn came to mind. For many years I only knew the first verse as a chorus,
No room for the Baby at Bethlehem’s Inn, Only a cattle shed.
No home on this earth for the dear Son of God, Nowhere to lay His head,
Only a cross did they give to our Lord, Only a borrowed tomb.
Today He is seeking a place in your heart, Will you still say to Him, ‘No room’?
O Lord, in my heart there’s a welcome for Thee, Gladly I now would say;
Come in blessèd Saviour, my heart and my life, Henceforth would own Thy sway.
Long hast Thou waited and long knocked in vain, Outside my heart’s closed door;
Oh, cleanse me from sin, then, dear Lord, enter in, And dwell there for evermore. H M Day
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we pray that God the Holy Spirit will continue to use the Christmas messages to challenge those who heard but so far have not accepted the Saviour of the world, as their own personal Saviour. AMEN