In December 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright sent a telegram to their family from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It said, "We actually flew 120 feet. We'll be home for Christmas." Their sister Katharine took it to the editor of the local newspaper. His response was interesting. "Oh, how nice," he said. "The boys will be home for Christmas." He missed the main event: Mankind had flown!

Much bigger news happened in a little town outside Jerusalem 1900 years earlier, but some people missed it.

We find one of them in Luke 2. The innkeeper at Bethlehem missed the main event because he was too preoccupied with his business. Although there's always room available for a stranger in that part of the world, he showed no hospitality whatsoever. He sent Joseph and Mary to a stable. This shows the attitude of the world toward God. When it comes to spiritual things, and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, most people's response is that they're too busy. But if you're too busy for God, you are just too busy!

In Matthew 2 we find the second one who missed the main event, a paranoid politician. King Herod was fearful and perturbed when the magi came looking for a newborn "King of the Jews." This was Herod's title, and he didn't want any competition. He didn't want to lose control. There are people today who won't let God interfere with their personal kingdoms. God is fine as long as He doesn't invade their space. Like Herod, they claim to worship God, but it's really all about them.

And then there was a group of passive theologians. Herod asked the scribes and priests where Christ would be born, and they knew the exact place. I think that's amazing--not because of what they knew, but because of what they didn't do. Why didn't they go to Bethlehem? It was only five miles away! It's not enough to know the text or be able to analyze it or quote it. You have to respond in obedience. Do you have a passion for God, to know Him and have His peace? Or has this "church thing" become routine?

So there was no room in the inn, no room in the court, no room in the religious system. No room for Jesus. How about you? Are you preoccupied with other things? Are you paranoid about losing your position as king of your own life? Or are you just passive and can't be bothered?

Don't miss the main event. Don't let distractions or pride or apathy keep you from Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God, the Savior, and the only one worthy of our worship. "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"