I don’t think about them much. I’m talking about hinges. If they squeak, I oil them. Or spray a little WD-40 on them. If they are rusted and stuck, I replace them. But even that doesn’t demand much of my attention. Done and done!

Don’t get me wrong. Hinges are important. Even critical. Doors swing open or closed on hinges. Those doors may open to new opportunities. They may swing open to the emergency room for medical issues. They may open to our warm home on a cold night…or to our church on Christmas Day, so we may sing praise to the One born in a manger. O come, let us adore Him…

But I still don’t think about hinges very much. Do you? Maybe we should.

It is at Christmas that I recall the phrase penned by Ralph W. Sockman, a Methodist pastor, teacher, and radio preacher of the last century. Ever since I read it in a little Christmas book years ago, it has captured my heart.

“The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.”

Oh, I don’t know if there really was a hinge on that stable door. Probably not if it were the cave in Bethlehem. But the meaning of the phrase isn’t diminished. What happened two thousand years ago when Jesus was born of a virgin in that little town of Bethlehem has opened the door for my salvation and for yours. It changed the course of history. It fulfilled centuries-old prophecy:

For a child is born to us,

    a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

    And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NLT

And the impact of that event continues to make a difference in our lives and the lives of millions around the world. It also gives hope to billions who have yet to see the babe of Bethlehem as their Savior.

We have the opportunity provided by that “hinge” to share that hope. To tell the world of Jesus and His love. To reach beyond the walls of our homes and churches—to go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere.

A hinge. A door. A story. A Savior.

Let’s celebrate Christ at Christmas and tell of His love all year long.

God’s best,