The Crowded Christ

On a recent trip to a bookstore in Dallas, I came across an eye-catching find – a crowded magazine rack with a very unique mix of topics.  The initial feelings it solicited served a scalding insult, well-knowing that this is a true sign of culture, to crowd out the story of my Lord.  But as I thought a little deeper, an inner prod challenged me to recognize a broader opportunity.  How crowded do you think Christ feels in our present-day culture?  Furthermore, how does the Son of God view where He is situated in the world at any point in history?  Could it be that He’s not threatened by it at all?  Rather, His perspective could possibly be more open than offended…

In light of the Christmas story, we see a similar setting: The scene is an over-populated town due to a Roman census being taken.  As a matter of fact, the narrative narrows to that particular packed out inn.  So, Joseph and the greatly expectant Mary settle down in a stable, and that’s where Jesus is born.  Yes, He’s born into a crowded situation…  But before any of us begins to feel badly for the Christ-Child, this very time and location were predicted hundreds of years prior.  In other words, it was in God’s plan to be crowded! Think about it.  More later…