December 25 Got Room?

Luke 2: 6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.

“THERE was no room for them in the inn.” That’s always bugged me. How could anyone turn a very pregnant woman from an inn and show her a stable to spend the night? What kind of culture was this to keep a pregnant girl out of a nice bed? Somebody should have said, “Here. You can have my room. I’ll gladly remove my things for you. Come on in.” But no one did.
     How about you? Are you too often inclined to shut Jesus out, to turn him away into the darkness? We too often find it convenient to cast him away with our casual hearts, don’t’ we? He has so much to give to us. He offers his ears to listen to our deep sorrows, his hands to heal our broken bodies, his mouth to speak eternal forgiveness and grace, his feet to walk among the physical and spiritually poor, his eyes to penetrate your soul as he commands, “Come, follow me.”
     But then we hesitate. We love the truths of Jesus giving these wondrous blessings to our lives. We sing hymns to praise him. We attend his church and give our offerings. We go to the Bible study and join with others in prayer. But…when it comes to the point of a very personal, one-on-one response to Jesus, suddenly our hearts too full of clutter to let him in, “No room for you here, Jesus. It’s not the right time. Check down the street.” And then we wonder, “Where is he?” when our faith wavers and when those tough times come.
     On that night in Bethlehem Jesus came to enter into the hearts of his creation. What will it take for us to say, “Here, Lord, I have plenty of room in my heart for you. I’ll gladly remove the clutter. Come on in.”

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for coming to earth. Come into my heart and move me to a deeper love for you. Cleanse my heart of my “self” clutter. Give me a full faith to follow you on this Christmas Day and each day. Amen.