low

“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

Talk about humble beginnings!  The Creator of the universe, God in the flesh, came into the world as a newborn baby, was wrapped in cloths, and was laid in a manger.  All because there was no room for him in the inn!  Are you kidding me?  How much lower can you get?  And yet, this is how God chose to enter his creation. 

It certainly tells us something about the character of our God.  And it certainly sets an example for those of us who follow.  The very birth of Jesus invites us to the low places.  It invites us to enter the world with a hush rather than a flash.  It invites us to make our home among the low rather than the high. 

The temptation to try and make a place for ourselves in this world is so strong, and yet Jesus did the very opposite.  And he invites us to join him.  Which means that whenever we find that there is no room for us, we are most likely following in his footsteps.  Rejoice and be glad!  

Lord Jesus, the way you chose to enter this world tells us so much about who you are, and about who you aren’t.  Help us to have the courage and the strength and the grace to see your example and to follow it.