Make Room

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn”
Luke 2:6-7

Joseph and Mary had traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem - the City of David for the census and when they arrived they found the city full of people and not a spare guest room to be found. Why was there no room for them? Scriptures don’t make it clear - perhaps the city had too many people in it, maybe they were being shunned. I suspect that if the “why” had mattered we would have been given the answer. The point is there was no room - no room in the city, no room in the hearts and minds of most of the people - there was just no room for the child foretold by the angel Gabriel and the prophets.

We don’t know what was going on in the city that day and night, had it turned into a big party, were politicians debating, and Roman soldiers patrolling the streets? What we can be sure of was no one was really interested in a baby that had been born and lay sleeping in a manger. No one, that is except the shepherds who had witnessed a marvelous sight and heard amazing news. They were not too busy, they made room in their activities to go and see this thing - this child they had been told about.   

It is so easy to get caught up in the activity of the season, in the “celebration” or the struggles that we can, whether we intend to or not, crowd out the very reason for the season and celebration. Is there room at your house and in your heart for Jesus? In our modern world if Joseph and Mary were to show up at your door, would you let them in? 

This year, amidst the family gatherings, gifts and food make room for Mary’s baby. Make room in your heart and life for the Son of God, make room for Jesus. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - may your celebration be filled with the peace, hope and love found only in Jesus.

My Prayer For You
Father, as we celebrate Christmas, help us to make room for Your Son since He is the reason we Celebrate. May we feel His presence in a new way as we gather with our families. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.