The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1905-01-12

M A1AA Is tue meSSdSc VI Tue SldDic.
w What is the message of the inn!
One stands for cooperation with God.
the other rejection and Indifference to
His claims. One becomes the recipient
of blessing, and the medium of exalted
service, while the other in narrow
selfishness loses both blessing and the
privilege of service. The characteristics
of the stable and the inn are still to be
marked in the world to-day. There are
those who are willing to receive the
Christ, and who thus become instru-
ments in Gods hands Of great service
and blessing. On the other hand, there
are those who typify the inn and refuse
the Christ admittance. and maintain an
attitude of supreme Indifference to His
claims upon them. At the glad Christ
mas time what more fitting occasion on
which to consider this supreme ques-
ton? With you and me it is either this
stable or the inn. There IS 10 neutral
ground. The Christ child, the Christ
mas gift of God to men, comes to every
heart and seeks for admission. Shall
the rejection of the inn, or the welcome
of the stable, mark our attitude?
"'Tis not enough that Christ was born
Bereath the star that shone,
And earth was set that morn
Within n golden zone.
He must be born within the heart
Before He finds His throne,
And brings the day of love and good,
The reign Of Christ-like brotherhood"
IN HE stable typities open-hearted re-
i ception of the Christ, willing sur
render of the best we have to the Christ.
and acceptable service rendered for the
Christ. The first essential need is the
making room for Jesus. The crowded
condition of the inn may find its coun-
terpart in our lives where the cares and
activities of this life would crowd out
the claims of God upon us. ard make u
prone to turn the Christ away with the
excuse that there is no room, that We are
busy providing for the present guests
who have found lodgment with US. To
reject Christ does not require that we
show open enmity and hatred towards
Him. Christ was not driven from the
door of that inn at Bethlehem in cruel
hatred. 1t was enough that Mary and
Joseph should be told, perhaps ever so
politely and regretfully. that there was
no room. 1t served the same purpose Of
shutting out the Christ. and SO with you
and me. We may know of no bitter OPP
position or hatred ruling in the heart
which keeps the Christ out. All that Is
necessary is to be so filled and crowded
witn other things as to lead us to turn
Him politely away, and say: Some
day, when we are not so pressed for
room and time. we will be glad to well
come you" But Jesus does not wait on
such invitation. The opportunity OF
sheltering the Christ came to the inn
but once, and that opportunity lost was
lost forever, and so it may be with you.
Jesus comes at this Christmas time. He
seeks for room and shelter In your heart.
Will you not make place for Him there
at once. even though every other thing
has to be turned out and given up?
ND once within, let the Saviour have
IA the best the place affords. The man
ger was not much. 1t was rude, rough
place, and yet as it was surrendered il
became the cradle Of the newborn King.
What you have mayseem mean and poor.
and unusable. But il 1t is surrendered
to the Christ, He will find use for IL
He will glorify and honor it with His
presence He will make 1t the medium
Of blessing to others. II that humble
manger had had the power of speech and
had the spirit of some who have admit
ted the Christ to their lives and hearts.
I imagine can hear 1t speaking on this
wise: Il would go like to do something
for this Christ oh, II were only like
the bed. or even the cot. Of the we'll
appointed INN, how gladly would serve
Him! Oh! II only had the comfort az
its ample frame, or the warmth Of its
rugs and blankets! But have nothing
but this rack Of rough boards before
which the cattle stand. Ihave nothing
but this fodder which surely cannot
offer to Him" But the manager was
there. 1t was willing to be used. And
Mary laid the Christ therein, and 1t be-
came transformed with . glory such
g. never shone round the throne of
earthly king. And so 1t may be with
you and me. The most unlikely possef-
sion may become respondent and giori-
GUS with the Divine presence. But II
with the narrow vision of the INN No
turn the Christ away. We may keep al
the crowding guests which~thi world
can give, but We lose Heavens gilt and
the star Of hope rises not over or hab-
itation. Which shall It b.. the stable
or the INN? Let the prayer Of the poet
be the breathings OF our heart Win
the soul yearning which Christ alons
can satisfy let us cry:
20. holy Child Of Bethlehem.
Descend to cs. We pray:
Cast out our sin and enter n.
Re born In ~ to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad-tidingS tel:
Oh, come to US. abide with -
Our Lord ERmaDuoks