No Room!

 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:6-7

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 All around the world, the Christmas season is one of the busiest seasons of the year.  For many businesses, this is the time of the year when a reasonable percent of their annual sales and profit is generated; especially the hotel industry.  This time of the year, when we commemorate the birth of Jesus (even though He wasn’t born in December) major hotels in major cities are fully booked into the New Year…

Just as it was when Jesus was born. 

Perhaps because of the census at Jerusalem at the time, the Bible says that there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph.  At that time the inn might have been the only lodging house in Jerusalem; or there might have been others, which they tried. Needless to say, there was no room!  

Each time I think about the story, I think about how the inn had an opportunity to receive the King of Glory, but missed that opportunity because there was no room!  I believe that if the inn keeper knew who was trying to lodge at the inn, he probably might have made room for Mary, Joseph and the unborn Child; even if it meant giving up his own room. But he didn’t know.  So he didn’t let them in. 

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But the inn keeper was not the only one that kept Jesus out.  More than two thousands years later, most people today are still turning Jesus away.  Like the inn keeper, they have no room in their hearts to let Jesus in.  Like the inn, their hearts are filled with greed, lust, hatred, past hurts, bitterness, malice, fornication, adultery, idolatry, pride, career, wealth, etc.  And each time Jesus knocks to check into their hearts, like the inn keeper, they tell Him, “No room!” 

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Interestingly, however, many of the people who don’t have room for Jesus, this time of the year, (that’s supposed to be about Jesus), go about filling their hearts with other things, but Jesus.  Their hearts are filled with shopping-lists, gift wrapping, Christmas card mailing, Christmas decorations, party planning, food, family gatherings, travel plans, etc.  

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But rather than talk about folks who may not read this piece, how about we talk about you, while I have your attention?  If I may ask, “Do you have room for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?  Have you made room for Him in your heart?”  If not, why not make room for Him NOW!  Every time you say, “Not now!  I’m not ready yet,” you are closing the door on Jesus.  

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Why not “de-junk” your heart from all worldly distractions, and make room for Jesus?  When you make room for Him, He comes in and cleans house – if you let Him.  He rids your heart of your sinful ways, stinking thinking and nasty attitudes by empowering you by His Holy Spirit.   

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Don’t go into another year without making room for Jesus in your heart.  Go ahead, make room.  Let Jesus in! 

May God’s unspeakable joy and His peace, which passes understanding, flood your heart this Christmas season and forever! 

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Merry Christmas!

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PS.: This article was written around Christmas in 2007.