No Room...

As we read the accounts of the birth of Jesus which we celebrate this month, we follow Joseph and Mary on their journey into Bethlehem. It was an arduous journey for Mary particularly because she was great with child. At the end of the journey and at the time of their arrival, Joseph tried desparately to find a place for them to stay. Everywhere they went they were turned away...there was "no room" for them. Finally one innkeeper told them they could go to a stable and perhaps find room there on the hay to find some comfort to rest. It was there in that lowly stable that the Christ Child was born.

It is interesting to follow His story and find that once He started His ministry there again was "no room" for Him. There was a constant band of naysayers following Him making light of what He taught and the miracles He performed. Only His family and a few followers recognized His great worth. At His untimely death there was just "no room" for Him in that society.

If we follow the lives of the prophets in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon we find that the prophets also found there was "no room" for their teachings to the vast majority of the people. There were only a few of the population who became devoted followers.

1800 years after Christ's death there was still the same apathy for the spiritual truth. When Joseph Smith went to the grove to search for the truth, he came away telling that wonderful experience he had with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only to find many minds were closed to him. There was "no room" for his experience to take effect. Only family and a few friends heard the message and became followers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, many years since that beautiful day of the restoration of the gospel and although there are many followers all around the world, there is still "no room" with the majority. The great stone cut out of the mountain that Isaiah tells about is rolling forth but there is still "no room" in too many places. While the church is growing and preparing for that great day of the second coming of the Lord, there are many more people on the earth and for the most part there is "no room" for the teachings and for a place in the hearts of men for the Lord Jesus Christ.

At this Christmas time when we have the opportunity to feel the love of the Savior more than any other time of the year, when there is more love and caring because of the season, perhaps it is the best time to show our love for the Christ Child and make sure we have "room" for Him in our hearts and in our lives. Let's make sure that we will never be counted as one of those who have "no room" for Him. Let's learn His ways and live them!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each of you....with love, Maurine W.