The circumstances of Jesus’ birth elicited several responses that are indicative of how people respond to his message today. While Mary was easily convinced to surrender to God’s plan, Joseph had to be brought along. Eventually he embraced the sacred trust and made room in his life for God’s Son. Meanwhile, the rulers of the world at that time were executing their own plans. Caesar Augustus was attempting to establish peace through force and decided to tax the people to pay for his military operations. God used his personal ambitions to move Joseph and Mary to the appropriate place for Jesus to be born. When King Herod heard about Jesus’ birth, he became threatened and used his power to try and put an end to God’s plan. God used his defensiveness to continue moving Joseph, Mary and Jesus along in God’s will. God decided to announce the significance of Jesus’ coming to Shepherds, who were the lowliest people of that day. They responded with faith and experienced the joy of discovering Jesus. Perhaps the saddest, yet most common response was by the residents of that Bethlehem inn. They were indifferent to the plight of this poor couple and missed the most significant event in history. Just like Joseph, Mary, Caesar, Herod, the Shepherds, and the residents of the inn, every person has to respond to God’s Son. The question is: Who will make room in their lives for Jesus? Will we?

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