I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things.  It's about being good to one another, it's about the Christian ethic, it's about kindness.  Carrie Fisher

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Luke 2:6-7, 57

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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Do You Have Room?
Written by
sung by April Meservy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7lo9ycKBA

They journeyed far, a weary pair,
They sought for shelter from the cold night air.
Some place where she could lay her head,
Where she could give her Babe a quiet bed.
Was there no room?  No corner there?
In all the town a spot someone could share?
Was there no soul come to their aid?
A stable bare was where the family stayed.

Do you have room for the Savior?
And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy,
Or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night?
Would you have sought the light?
Do you have room?

A star arose, a wondrous light
A sign from God this was the Holy Night
And yet so few would go to see
The babe who came to rescue you and me.
This child divine is now a King
The gift of life to all the world He brings
And all mankind, He saves from doom
but on that night for Him there was no room

Do you have room for the Savior?
And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd bo,
Or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night?
Would you have sought the light?
Do you have room?

Will you come tonight?
Will you seek the light?
Do you have room?

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“Another year is over, thank you for allowing me to share with you my love of and faith in Jesus Christ.”  For 21 years I have had the privilege of sharing these messages.  I apologize for the computer problems which prevented me from completing the series.  Today’s message will inclue both a poem (from yesterday) and a story of service.  Additional items will be posted to my blog. 
One final thought, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of the fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained; “what is man that though art mindful of him?” (Psalms 8:3-4 ) who am I that thou art mindful of me?  As Christmas approaches, each of us should open our hearts to receive once again a witness that Christ was born as the Savior of the world, that He lives, and that because of Him, we will live again.  We should determine in our hearts and minds to listen to the message of the angels, to walk with the shepherds and to join the wise men and seek our Lord.  Remember, “feed my sheep, feed my sheep, feed my sheep ~~ Marilee

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SANTA'S PRAYER
Author Unknown

He knelt beside the manger bed,
A tear was in his eye.
His jolly laugh and manner gone,
As he heard the baby sigh.

Sweet sleeping child, I never meant
To push aside your birth,
To lose you in the tinsel,
Or trade gifts for things of worth.

It seems that long forgotten
Is the star o'er Bethlehem,
Angels voices, shepherds watching,
Cattle lowing, and a lamb.

Unremembered is the rag-wrapped baby,
Born to be a King,
Amid the gifts and stockings
That Santa Claus will bring.

I only meant to spread some hope
To all the sons of earth.
And share the joy in giving
Like the wise men at your birth.

I wanted just to see some peace
In a world so torn with strife.
I only brought presents and candy,
You gave them eternal life.

Still kneeling there with a tear stained face,
He saw the eyelid lift.
'Twas almost as if he heard these words,
'Dear Santa, I accept your gift.

It was with love and selflessness,
You acted on your plan.
And with every gift, a part of me
Was delivered to the hearts of man.

I may be right now overlooked
By those who are lost or weak
But I'm still here for each of them,
They only have to seek.

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Just Detours
A. Brian Fielder
https://www.inspirationalstories.com/3/340.html

I have a little story I thought I would share with all of you. I recently relocated, bought a house and moved in the first weekend of July.
Since I have been in my new neighborhood, I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of my neighbors who seem to be extremely nice people. For Christmas, I thought I would do something nice for each of the neighbors that I know. I sat down and counted. There were nine neighbors whom I knew by name or spoke with often when I was out in my yard. I also knew which houses they lived in.
I decided to add one more person to my list for a total of ten. This lady that I decided to add lives down the street from me. I meet her every morning walking to work as I drive down the street. She always manages a contagious smile and a hearty wave. I had no idea what her name was and not even sure which house she lived in.
My gift idea was to make small fruit baskets and leave them on each of my neighbor's front porches or door steps the night of Christmas Eve for them to find, either that night or the next morning. I signed the cards: "Happy Holidays from 5104 Northumberland Road."
I saved the friendly lady for last, since I was still not exactly sure where she lived. I finally decided upon a house down about where I met her each morning and felt relatively sure that it was hers.
My neighbors really appreciated the baskets and would tell me as they saw me in the yard or they would call, and a couple even came by to thank me.
This morning on my way to work, I placed my mail in the mailbox and noticed a small note inside. It was addressed simply -- Resident, 5104 Northumberland Road.
I opened the envelope and took out a Thank You card. I opened the card and read the message which really caught me by surprise.
The card said. "Thank you for the lovely fruit basket you left on the porch of Richard Kelly. It was very thoughtful. Richard Kelly passed away on January 19, 1999. He never stopped talking about how nice it was that someone remembered him in his time of illness. He really appreciated it."
I was sincerely stunned. I had no idea who Richard Kelly was or that he had been gravely ill. I had left that nice lady's basket on Mr. Kelly's porch by accident. I wanted to say by mistake, but that would be wrong. I believe that Richard Kelly was meant to have that basket and the Lord knew that he only had less than a month to live. I hate that the nice lady did not get to receive a fruit basket from me this Christmas, but I believe that if she knew what happened, she would have had outcome no other way.
I feel blessed to have helped Richard Kelly's last days be more cheerful. This just further reinforces my belief that there are never any mistakes in life -- just detours, shortcuts, and small excursions along the way.