And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
My parents were married on June 9, 1967. The following morning, they awoke to a call from hotel management offering not to charge them for the night’s stay if they would vacate immediately. The hotel had overbooked and they needed that room for some VIP. My parents were young college students at the time so they were happy to accept this deal. They quickly packed up their things and continued their honeymoon elsewhere.
Perhaps the innkeeper in Bethlehem who turned away Mary and Joseph might have considered making such an offer to one of his guests if he had known what VIPs were at the door begging for a room. But in those days of census, with so many people in transit, I wonder if anyone would have given up their room, even for the Christ child.
We often talk about New Year’s resolutions and how quickly we seem to forget them or forsake them. But what about our Christmas resolutions? In December we often renew our commitment to making room for Jesus. We sing, “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee,” but are we still making room for him in February and beyond? And what does that mean anyway?
We may feel we have little to offer the Lord in the way of accommodations when we consider the state of our own hearts. But notice where Baby Jesus was laid— in an animals’ feeding trough, in a nest of hay. What kind of place does Jesus require? Something fancy? Top of the line?
No. Jesus was born and laid in the place that was available. Jesus always had time for anyone who would make room for him. He spent time with sinners, outcasts like lepers and tax collectors, poor women, people of rival nations— everyone.
They didn’t always accept him.
Once when Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he and his disciples tried to pass through a Samaritan village, “but they did not receive Him,” (Luke 9:53). The Sons of Thunder wanted to call down fire from heaven to punish these villagers, but Jesus rebuked them for that sentiment and they went on to another village (v.55-56).
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
If Jesus knocked at our door wanting to share a meal and looking for a bed for the night, we would give him the very best. It’s easy to feel excited about a new guest, especially someone important. But when guests come, eventually we’re ready to have our space and our privacy back.
However, Jesus doesn’t want to visit for a night or two. He’s looking for a home.
Be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16b-17
Making room for Jesus means a lifetime commitment.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32
My parents having to make room for someone else at the hotel on their first day of marriage may call to mind Joseph and Mary’s plight when she was in labor in Bethlehem. But it is Mom and Dad’s 57+ years of marriage that symbolize what it means to make room for Jesus in our lives. He’s no longer looking for a room at the inn. He is husband to his bride, the church. He wants us to live together forever, and his vow to us is, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Hebrews 13:5b). We need to make sure we can say the same to him.
Maybe the state of your heart doesn’t seem fit for a VIP like Jesus. Maybe it would take a lifetime to fix what’s messed up there. Well, don’t worry. That’s exactly why he wants to come; and that’s exactly how long he wants to stay.
Heavenly Father, You have honored mankind by sending Your only begotten Son to live on this earth with us and to die on this earth for us. You have made room for us at Your table, and Jesus is preparing rooms for us even now. Help us to be thankful and to continually make space for Jesus to dwell as Lord in our hearts. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
by Christie Cole Atkins
Walk Worthy 