HOUSEFUL
Joseph Emmanuel
Staff – India Youth for Christ
This was the board kept outside a famous theatre during a recent show of a popular play. Jam packed, advance booking tickets, sold out. No more space for others to join in, no room.
This word (houseful), in its other forms also, has been the part and parcel of many a stages of an individual’s personal and social life. Nevertheless the essence of it remains always the same: ‘Sorry, but I am/we are not available, not free”.
As I look into the present state of the Generation X and also the next generation, Christmas is yet another occasion for partying and making merry, having family time and sharing of gifts with each other and friends. Just another reason to say ‘You mean something to me’.
When Jesus wanted to come into this world, there was ‘no room’ for Him. He wanted to come into His own world, but alas His very own did not have any space for Him. Jesus searched for a place to lay Himself, but it was a ‘HOUSEFUL’. Joseph and Mary searched high and low for it but failed to find any. There was no option but to accept the next best available thing. The ‘King’ thus was born in a manger.
How true is that of us today! As I look around in the society and try to figure out what exactly keeps one away from Jesus, the one and most common reason seen is that we all are caught up with our own work. All seem to be engrossed and occupied in studies, workplace, jobs, parties, etc. Everyone seems to have a real good head-start in their lives; something that is already planned. The competition in the education circle keeps a student on his toes to make it to the top and thus is always busy with the studies. The ever growing economy keeps the industrialist aiming for the forefront.
But here rises the question, where is the place and position of the Creator in our personal lives? The crave and desire to have more and more money has led to people working great lengths of time and spending their entire day towards earning of the same.
Another important element that looms in front is the lack of love for ‘The Almighty’. There seems to be no attachment for the one who ‘holds the world in His hands’. There are some who would say that I am wrong and that they do hold some feeling towards Him. My question to them is does He receive at the least tenth of what we are and have? How do we spend our 24 hours everyday? How do I use my resources and the benefits that I receive from it?
Christmas, my friends, is the initiative of God to break into the rapid fire, racy life-style of ours. When man refused to turn to Him, God chose to take him self to us. That is how Christmas happened. Jesus Christ was born in a manger in Bethlehem. Angels filled the sky with singing and gladness; shepherds flocked around the baby giving their respect, wise men travelled from far to worship the King. That’s the way a few responded towards Christ, whereas others responded with a ‘NO ROOM’ sign. This was the happening more than 2000 years ago, nevertheless, the state of mankind remains the same today too. There are just a few who respond positively to Him, but many who live a ‘HOUSEFUL’ lifestyle.
John the apostle, in Revelation 3:20, writes the Words of Jesus “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with him, and he with me.”
Today also Christ wants to enter into our world, but finds the door shut, or receives the answer, ‘No Room’. It is time that we realize the necessity of Christ presence and involvement in our lives. Even the lowest of place in our lives could be brightened by this ‘Star’ of Christmas, just as it happened in history. The need of the hour is to slow down our pace and refocus ourselves on the priority of this life. Jesus is the only one who can lead us to eternal life. If we have no place for Him, then we have no place for eternal life. Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” John 14:6. There is no option in this regard for any, other than to come to the one who holds life in His hands. In conclusion, the poem, “If Today Were His Birth” by Melody J. Dyer fits apt as a finale.
If today were His birth,
Would you know the young couple
As the parents Of the Christ child to be?
Or would you say, "There’s no room,"
And turn Him away,
too, blind the Savior to see?
If today were His birth
Instead of that long ago day,
Would you turn Him away?
Just what would you say,
If today were the day
He came and knocked at your door?
[1] Life setting of a community.
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