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December 17, 2006
READ: Luke 2:1-7
There was no room for them in the inn. —Luke 2:7
Life was tough for Datha and her family. At age 39, she had a heart attack and bypass surgery and learned that she had coronary artery disease. A year later, her 15-year-old daughter Heather became paralyzed as the result of a car accident. Datha quit her job to take care of Heather, and the bills started piling up. Soon they would be facing eviction. Datha was so angry with God that she stopped praying.
Then came Christmas Eve 2004. A young girl knocked on Datha’s door. The girl wished her a “Merry Christmas,” gave her an envelope, and left quickly. Inside was a gift that would cover Datha’s housing needs for the next year. The attached note read, “Please accept this gift in honor of the Man whose birthday we celebrate on this holy night. Long ago, His family also had a shelter problem.”
Luke 2 tells the story of Joseph and Mary as they searched for a shelter for Mary to deliver her baby. They found a place with the animals. Later in His life, Jesus said of Himself, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20).
Jesus understood Datha’s troubles. He brought her hope and met her needs through others who contributed funds.
We can cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). In Christ, we find shelter (Ps. 61:3-4).
