Is There Room?

A teenage couple was traveling ahead of Christmas to Joseph's home town. The government was requiring a census for taxing purposes. Joseph took his fiance along on the 80 mile journey south to Bethlehem. She was pregnant. The baby wasn't his. Mary told him it was a God thing. His intentions were to privately divorce her. However an angel appeared to him in a dream. They had to travel slowly. He had to decide whether to walk through Samaria which was dangerous or take an extra couple of days and go around. 

In all your past Christmas's have you ever wondered why a teenage boy would take along his pregnant girlfriend? We all know the obvious answer. The baby was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem. How did Joseph have enough room in his mind to process all this unusualness? And then enough room in his heart to accept what he didn't understand and not only keep Mary, but take care of her?

Because of slower traveling they were late arriving in Bethlehem. All the motels and inns were full. There was no room to stay. Luke says, "And while they were there the time came for the baby to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn". Luke left out some minor details. However the couple found a barn and a manger. And the rest is His-story. Common humble shepherds were invited to visit that first night. They made room. Luke says, "They returned to their flocks, glorifying God for all the things they had seen and heard". Jesus, God's only Son, came to a world without hope in His first coming, not to rule, but to serve. And most folks missed it.

Last Monday Jan and I took off a half day and headed south to Mennonite and Amish country. We stopped at a locker, a fabric and general store, and a discount store near Rutledge, Missouri. (Population 109). Then we finished up at Dutchman's in Cantril, Iowa. (Population 225) While Jan shopped I had three great conversations with the business help about their culture, their families, and their faith.

Earlier in the week Mike and Mark wanted to get the last terrace of a 14 terrace job finished before bad weather. They pushed off 12 inches of black dirt of which probably half was froze, built the terrace out of clay, and then covered the terrace with the chunky black dirt. Most terraces need to be built out of clay for strength, and then putting the top soil back on top for crop productivity. Thanks for the picture Mike.

BJ tiled through Tuesday north of Ottumwa pulling up 6 to 8 inches of frost with his tile plow. He mentioned it went quite well with GPS determining depth and grade. On Wednesday he used the semi to deliver two loads of alfalfa bales to Drakesville, and brought much of his tiling equipment home on the return trips.

Then on Wednesday night winter came to much of Iowa in full force with -35 degrees windchill and blowing and drifting snow. Most events were cancelled. Windchill temps have been below zero the rest of the week.

Thankfully we have room to work where it's warm when the weather outside is frightful. We backed five projects in the shop on Wednesday while everything still started without prodding. You see, not only do batteries complain about working below zero, untreated diesel fuel jells and turns to jelly in these temperatures. We also have room for our semis in a warm shop across the road.

Friday evening was our family Christmas in the cabin. Everyone braved the cold and bad roads. Jan served appetizers, meatballs covered in a sauce, ham, both white and yellow macaroni and cheese since that is our grandkids favorite food, sweetcorn, salad, homemade rolls, and at least four desserts.

With a family this large it's often hard to keep room for the real reason we're celebrating. And a Grandpa's imperfect attempt at devotions that needs to stay short for grandkids attention span and Jan's hot food is often inadequate. So what a blessing when this year our children said we were going to take time for worship. Each family picked a song, John found the words and music on the smart TV, and we sang together.

Jan purchased or made and wrapped close to 30 gifts for grandchildren and friends of the older ones. She had them stand in order of age with their package.

Then during game time Jan came and brought me a small package. If you look close you can see the guys of our family hanging out with each other and their mother.

 

 I hesitated about adding the next two pictures because of getting too long. But I did because I appreciate our older grandchildren and their friends. Congratulations to Gideon and Emily on the right who were engaged this week and look forward to an August wedding.

 You see kids, Grandma and I were also a dating couple a long time ago. We also endured each others family Christmas's. And we also got engaged around Christmas in December of 1974. And just like you I was ambitious and willing to work day and night if that's what it took to support my bride.

One more thing kiddos, my little package Friday evening from Grandma was just a note. It said, "Thank you for taking me along on this journey". But here's the punch line of this whole visit on this Christmas morning. This journey hasn't been because of me. In the 1980s when just working hard wasn't working, and I was about to lose the occupation I loved. I had to move over, get on my knees, ask God for help, and make room for Him and others. And as most of you kids know, Grandpa has been on his knees most every morning since, now asking God to help you all, if you give Him room.

Yesterday morning Cody and Tori headed to Mitchell, South Dakota for another family Christmas. Cody borrowed Grandpa's pickup since his Chevy Camaro probably wasn't the best choice for our roads this week.

Earlier I mentioned most folks missed Christ's first coming on that quiet humble night around 65 generations ago. Well Christ is coming back a second time, also to a troubled world. The Bible says He will return on the clouds, with the sound of a trumpet. It's called judgement day. But it's not about being good enough. And it's not about what kind of journey we had here on earth. It's about making room for the gift we celebrate this morning. Don't miss it. Merry Christmas.