Were you born in a barn?

I don't know about you, but down here in the hills of TN, I've heard this question thousands of times. Usually as a child when I had my mind in too many places to remember to shut the door behind me when I came into the house -- ESPECIALLY in the unusual heavenly occurrence of Dad having the air conditioner on in the middle of August!! He loves the heat and one of his innumerable wise sayings is "Sweatin's good for you. You sweat out all the poisons." So, if he had the air conditioner running, trips in or out better be quick and few! :)

Yesterday, however, my brother shed new light on this saying for me (he's my pastor, you know).

Who is welcome in a barn? Some folks lock up their barns, but I don't know many cows and horses who have keys, do you? And in the Old West, the family slept in the house, but guests and strangers coming along the way, well, they slept in the barn. Mom and Dad's barn stores all those things there's no room for in the house, things no one wants or can use right now. Usually, barns aren't the most pleasant smelling nor the most clean, either. Even my dear, dear friend Kathy - one of THE best house-keepers I've EVER known, probably doesn't have Pledge in the barn! They have quite a farm, and though their barn is immaculate - for a barn - I wouldn't consider delivering a baby in there, you know? Get real! A barn?

But God did.

Why? Why choose THAT environment for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of all mankind?

Because EVERYONE is welcome in a barn! Shepherds, kings, rich, poor, short, tall, fat, skinny -- EVERYONE!

Had God chosen a palace, it still wouldn't have been good enough for Jesus, but I wouldn't be welcome there - I'm not royalty. Had God chosen the Inn where maybe Mary and Joseph got the very last room - the next person coming by wouldn't be welcome because there would've been no room. Get the picture? He chose a barn so EVERYONE can come to Him! I love that picture!

"For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I'm a 'WHOSOEVER' and so are you! What a blessed hope!

Were you born in a barn? My Savior was... just for you and me.