Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

— John 3:5

Jesus came to the Jewish people, as their long-awaited Messiah. He came to the world as the Savior of humankind. But it is Him coming into our individual hearts that makes all the difference. To be included into those He came to save we have to receive Him and entrust our lives to Him as we humbly open our heart to Him, whether it is the first time or something we have done repeatedly. This Christmas season, let us surrender our lives anew to the Babe of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is Hebrew for “House of Bread.” How appropriate that Jesus, the Bread of Life who came from heaven, was born in the House of Bread.

We see masses of people crowding into the malls and even our churches this season, and for those who have not received Him into their hearts, it is as if He did not come at all. It is a tragedy that so many people celebrate Christmas without Christ Himself.

I am reminded again of a little couplet which reflects this thought so eloquently and so unforgettably:

Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born,
If He be not born in thee, thy soul is still forlorn.

Question to ponder:
What does it mean to open our hearts to Jesus?