How many times have I had to listen to my children yell that at each other??? For some reason every time one of them wants to sit down in the living room, another child wants to sit in that exact spot or squeeze in right next to them. This inevitably leads to a squabble about making room. Unfortunately, my children are not the only ones who have a difficult time making room for someone who should hold an important place in their lives.
From before He was even born, Jesus had a hard time finding room. When His parents showed up to crowded Bethlehem, they were told there was no vacancy in the inn. They had to squeeze in among the livestock and Jesus’ first bed was a manger filled with hay.
Jesus’ siblings found it difficult to understand that He was the Messiah and at first did not find space in their own hearts for His message of redemption. That did change later on for at least some of His brothers, but I guess it makes me feel a little better about the scuffles among my kids! This was also the case for many of His neighbors, they could not believe that the Jesus they had known since He was a child, was the Savior of the world.
The worst antagonists, of course, were the Jewish religious leaders. In a confrontation at the temple, close to the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth, He flat out told them that He knew they were trying to kill Him because they had no room for His word!
Even now, although the whole reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Christ, we can have a hard time making room for Him in our busy schedules. Gift buying and wrapping, holiday events and parties, decorating and baking can all squeeze Jesus out. This December I want to carve out time to contemplate God becoming flesh, living among us and conquering death to offer us salvation. I want to create space in my heart for Jesus to dwell. Will you join me this Christmas season in making room for Him?
“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
Yes, I will make room with you.