“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

This time of year, you get all kinds of invitations without even knowing the people who sent them. Over the last few weeks, I have received email notices for gift cards from numerous major chains. This sounded like something I might be able to use, until I figured out the hook.  First you must complete a survey, and at the end of the survey there are numerous purchasing choices from which you must select before you become eligible for the free card.  I have also received invitations for new credit cards. There is usually some incentive attached to joining in hopes that I will exceed my ability to pay off all my extra holiday spending. Then the company will be able to make some money on my unpaid balance in the new year. My favorite is Publisher’s Clearing House who says you need to do nothing to win a huge cash prize.  Over the next weeks and months you will hear from them regularly with envelopes filled with purchasing offers, leading you to believe that you are now one of a very few who may be selected for a big payout. Invitations like these always come at a cost, even if it’s just your personal information.

A few years ago, I was invited to the home of former work colleague for a Christmas party. For whatever reason, I decided not to attend and respectfully sent my regrets.  That next summer, I ran into this individual and his wife who were doing some shopping.  He went on about the wonderful time they had at the party that past Christmas and stated that during the ensuing warm months, they would be hosting a picnic at their home. I was informed that again I would be invited but I had better attend this time, because “once you are a ‘no-show’ twice – you get taken off the list.”  My expression, or lack thereof, must have been a dead giveaway. Either they didn’t have the picnic or my invitation got lost in the mail.  Having struggled myself with holiday open house guest lists, I tried not to be too critical. There are always considerations such as the capacity of your home and the compatibility of those whom you are including. I guess it could become quite simple to weed out your list of invitees, but I am sure glad Jesus doesn’t apply that same criteria to His invitation.

At Christmas, we are invited over and again to come to the manger. We do so as we light our Advent candles, stop by the live nativity in the mall, or attend church services Christmas eve. But we must remember that the birth of Jesus was only the beginning. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). What a great invitation to know that we can simply rest in the arms of Jesus no matter whether we are carrying guilt from the past, worried about the future, or just exhausted with the weight of the world of everyday life. Still another invitation to contentment awaits each of us.  Jesus also invites us to fellowship, as He said “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). As Jesus summoned fishermen of His day to become part of the ‘Chosen Twelve’ – He also invites us to discipleship. When we accept this invitation, we enter an intimate relationship. We become partners by extending His invitation to others.

The final invitation Christ offers us is to be part of His kingdom. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). Those who do so are the recipients of His love and affection. No invitation of any kind in this world can compare with fact that you belong to God and are identified with Him. We can have joy in knowing that it’s not a temporary membership. His invitation is neither conditional or time-limited. He has paid our dues for all of eternity with His journey from a simple manger in Bethlehem to a lonely, horrifying death on the cross at Calvary. That is a real invitation, my friend, and it comes with a promise that if you remain in Him – you will never be taken off the guest list. Jesus is the Master of inclusion. He is Lord of all, and His invitation is for everyone . . . no gimmicks included.

REFLECTION: How do you think others feel when they are invited to your home? Have you ever had to exclude or been excluded from an invitation list? How can you show appreciation for the many invitations Jesus gifts to you this Christmas?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 10, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.