Hi, welcome to Redeem the Commute. I’m Ryan, your host for the Daily Challenges.

It’s almost Christmas Eve, so we are naturally reading the story of Jesus’ birth:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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 1:26-45; Luke 2:1-20 ESV)

With the focus on Syrian refugees this year, many people have picked up on the similarities!  A Middle Eastern couple far from home, with no one willing to take them in.  A friend is desperately trying to find rental accommodations for a family, but finds when people hear it’s a refugee family, they aren’t interested.  They say there’s no room in the inn.  You can read the story here.

There are all kinds of Christian reasons to offer shelter to displaced people, but this story is about much more than a family in need!  The Christmas story is about a world in need, and God coming to help.

It’s clear that Luke, who wrote the story above doesn’t see this as just a fable, but as a story rooted in history.  The governor and emperor are named, which dates this story in history.  The places are named, and details are given about the people.  Mean to be verifiable, since this was written within a generation or two of the actual events.

God actually came to earth, to rescue us from sin.  To initiate his kingdom, invite us to practice it and live in his kingdom today.

How evident?

Question:  This Christmas, tonight or tomorrow, find a way to celebrate Jesus that is new to you and will bring deeper meaning, such as doing a kindness for another person, attending a special service, or spending time with someone who can celebrate with you.