Is There Room at Your Inn?
I will confess that I am very busy at Christmas. Every year, after the Christmas season, I tell myself that I will try to prepare for Christmas much earlier so it’s not so hectic, but every year I find myself scrambling in December, trying to get everything done. Besides the usual hectic shopping for Christmas gifts, this year I hosted two women’s ministry events and had friends over for Christmas Eve dinner before family comes in today on Christmas day. While I enjoy showing love to others at Christmas, it seems Jesus always gets squeezed out, even though we are celebrating the miracle of his birth. I still get a daily devotion in, but it feels mechanical and not deep. Meanwhile, I am in between Bible studies and that doesn’t lend itself to spending a whole lot of time building my relationship with Christ during the holidays. It really appears so contradictory! We always hear that Jesus is the reason for the season, don’t we? If that’s the case, then why don’t we make more room for him during the season?
I then thought of the verse in Luke 2 concerning the birth of Jesus, “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” I realized it is the same today. In the midst of our busyness during the holidays, we have no room for Jesus in our lives or in our homes. There is no room for him at our Inn! We push him off to a place of less importance instead of centering our activities around him. Like so many during his day, we miss the significance of Jesus’ birth. I am praying that there will be room at my inn next Christmas, for however long Jesus needs to stay. What about you?
Lisa, I too have to find “room” for Jesus at times, especially with our busy schedule of entertaining. Sometimes we have up to four bookings a day. At other times we travel out of town. The result is that many times “there’s no room in the Inn.” This can be. so frustrating!
One thing I have done this year is to “Christmas shop” all year long. I keep a list of names with me and look for their gift items as I do my regular shopping. I am so thankful it’s all finished by Thanksgiving. All I have to do is wrap the gifts, if it’s not already done. What a time saver!
But still, I’ll strive to have more “room” next year.
WOW Lisa, this is all so true. I’m going to start shopping like Vera, all through the yr.. By next Dec. I will have room in my Inn. Pray for me through the yr. to become a better Christian. Bless you Dear and your work.