Were You Born in a Barn?

In the late 1970’s and the early 1980’s, I (and much of the contemporary Christian music community) was obsessed with a short (4’11”), blonde (pageboy haircut), Norwegian, in her early twenties, musical artist dynamo named “Evie” (Tornquist Karlsson).

Her music was relevant, vivacious, and could be heard almost everywhere. In 1977, her fans were thrilled when she came out with her first Christmas album entitled, Come On, Ring Those Bells. [i]

The nine songs on the record included a wonderful mixture of both the new and traditional of the holiday season. The one song that I’ve never been able to forget from Come On, Ring Those Bells collection (thirty-eight years later) is “Medley: No Room/Have You Any Room for Jesus?” Where do these meaningful lyrics place you in relationship to the Almighty?

Verse One

No Room, only a manger of hay[ii]                                                        
No Room, He is a stranger today
No Room, He and His word turned away[iii]
No Room, no room

Verse Two

Angels in Heaven up yonder
While they watch in
Such amazement and wonder
To see the Son of highest treated so

Verse Three

No Room here in the hearts of mankind
No Room, there's no cheery welcome to find
No Room, surely the world is blind
No Room, no room

Verse Four

Have you any room for Jesus?
He who bore your load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission
Oh brother won't you let Him in?

Verse Five

Room for Jesus, King of Glory
Hasten now His Word obey
Swing your heart's door widely open
Bid Him enter while you may

Verse Six

Room for Jesus, King of Glory
Hasten now His Word obey
Swing your heart's door widely open
Bid Him enter while you may
Bid Him enter while you may

Many times in the midst of my day I think about all my responsibilities to family, work, and friends. I forget to make room in my life for the Heavenly Father (my source of real power).

When I am truly yielded to the will of God, Psalm 51:17, 10 (NLT) will become a reality in my daily existence. This is hard for an opinionated guy like me to make a practice of regularly submitting my will to what the Almighty wants for my life. (What about you?)

“The sacrifice You desire is a broken heart. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”

Have your circumstances led you to a place of need with God (where He can finally be significant in the realm of your life)? Maybe this holiday season you are right where the Almighty wanted you to be (in His perfect plan). Don’t be upset at your present circumstances.

“Not all who wander are lost.”[iv]  Be assured your Heavenly Father knows where you are emotionally and physically (as well as the purpose and final destination of your journey).

May you remember this Christmas Day that your Heavenly Father cherishes (and adores) you. Merry Christmas from the Kinker family: Robert, Bobbi, Allena, and the Chihuahuas (Chico, Rosco, and Lola)[v]

Evie and her first Christmas album in December 1977

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[i] I don’t recall Iistening to Come On, Ring Those Bells until the Christmas 1978. I was fifteen years-old, and my father had died (due to a car accident) six months prior in June 1978.

 

 

[ii] “While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.” (Luke 2:6-7, MSG)

 

[iii] The phrase “were you born in a barn” refers to correcting someone who has left a door open, is rude, or messy. In Jesus case, the answer to this question would technically be “yes” The two differ in the fact that a barn is a large building for the storage of farm products or feed. A stable is a building domestic animals are sheltered and fed.

 

 

[iv] Quote by J.R.R. Tolkien

 

[v] "A Baby Changes Everything" (performed by Faith Hill)

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what's to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything [x2]

The man she loves she's never touched
How will she Keep his trust
A baby changes everything [x2]

And she cries, oh she cries

She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can't stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it's coming soon
There's no place, there's no room
A baby changes everything [x2]

And she cries and she cries O she cries

Shepherds all... gather 'round
Up above... a star shines down...

Choir of Angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything [x2]
Everything, everything, every day
Hallelujah [x4]

My whole life is turned around
I was lost but now I'm found
A baby changes everything [x2]