“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.”   Luke 2:7

No room. How well I know that feeling right now. 

With all of those holiday preparations still to be done and time dwindling with each tick of the clock, there is no room for one more thing and no time to get it all done. But, still, here I sit looking for a way to squeeze in one more visit with a friend, one more trip to the store, and just one more dozen cookies yet to be made. 

In the midst of my countdown to Christmas, I did it! I made room to have friends over. I made time to get to the grocery store to be able to prepare a family Christmas feast – or two. I made time to check each gift off my list. I even made time to get my nails done! Wow – isn’t that amazing. A true Christmas miracle … or not. 

No room. 

As I pause in all of this hustle and bustle, I remember two things we told our children as they became teenagers and began to venture out on their own. 1) Make good choices. 2) Leave room for Jesus. Truth be told, as we hurry and scurry through life, I still tell them this occasionally even though they are grown and out on their own. 

And still, no room.

Today, I took time to read the whole Christmas story in my Bible. You know this really isn’t a story about No Room. It is a story about Making Room. 

Make room for Jesus.

A young girl and boy had their world turned upside down and opened themselves for ridicule as they made room for the Christ child. The innkeeper and his wife made room in a manger among the animals to welcome the Savior. The shepherds made room for a journey to see and then share the Good News. The three wise men made room in their minds to embrace this new Truth and follow a star to present gifts to the Wonderful Counselor, protecting Him along the way.

Make room for Jesus. 

Now, we are called to make room for Emmanuel – God with us. 

He is with us. 

So, can we do it this season and throughout the year? Will we do it? 

Make room for Jesus. All year long.

Emmanuel – God with us. 

You can take Him any and everywhere. He was born in a lowly manger and later rose from the grave to sit at the right hand of God, our Father. He’s seen it all. 

Take another look at your plans this week and for the year ahead. Then …

Make room for Jesus. ( … and make good choices!)

Read the full story – Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-23 and Luke 2:1-20