And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:6-7
Nothing says, “I’ve been expecting you,” when you are staying at a friend or family member’s home when their guest room is adequately prepared with everything you need and even a few of your favorite snacks that you love. There is something special that happens when someone makes room for us in their home. The truth is, this understanding extends far beyond house guests. It extends to how we make room for people in our personal lives. It even extends to how we make room for Christ in our lives. One of the clearest pictures of this truth is found in Luke 2, the chapter of Scripture that tells us where Christ was born.
Luke 2 tells us that Jesus was born when the Roman emperor required that a census be taken throughout the entire Roman empire, including the nation of Israel. Because of this census, Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem from their home in Galilee to be included in this census. During their time in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Now, at that time and even today, members of royalty or people of importance were given the best possible circumstances to give birth and be born. Unfortunately, this was not the case with Jesus. The town of Bethlehem was likely so crowded because of the census requirements that Mary and Joseph could not find a place to stay, even at the house of one of their relatives who lived in Bethlehem. As a result, no one welcomed Mary and Joseph into their homes as they were awaiting the birth of Jesus. Instead, they stayed in what we would call a stable, or a place where animals were kept, and that is where Jesus was born. Imagine the King of kings being placed in a feeding troth rather than an actual bed. Think of all of the people who missed an opportunity to provide a place for Jesus to be born, all because those around them did not make room for the Savior of the World.
Our question today we have to answer is, “Are we making room for Christ in our own lives?” If not, what are you waiting for? Making room for God means spending time with Him regularly, paying attention to Him when He speaks to you, and following Him when He calls you to take steps of obedience. My friend, may you and I not become so busy or stuck in our ways that we miss Jesus. May we commit to making room for Christ in our hearts and lives, starting today.
Let’s commit to never missing Jesus in our daily lives. Go on a walk today. As you walk, spend time praying and observing the beauty of creation all around you. Make room and time to invite Him into this week.
Going Deeper – Luke 2:1-7 (NLT)
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
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