While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her child. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there wasn’t any room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 GW
This week we’re lingering in the Christmas story. My mind tells me we need to start at the beginning. That’s just how my mind works. But my heart tells me to start right here, in Luke 2:6-7.
So, here we are.
It came time for Mary to give birth. These two verses in Luke don’t give us much for detail about this birth, do they? They just tell us she gave birth to her firstborn son. Now, from personal experience, there’s a whole lot that goes on in giving birth. We won’t ponder all of that today, but will save that for another day. What captures my attention, however, is at the end of verse 7.
Mary wrapped the baby in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, a feeding trough. Why?
Because there wasn’t any room for them in the inn.
No one had room for Mary and Joseph. No one had room for the Savior of the world to be born. Not one person or one place was willing to make room for them.
The world didn’t make room for Jesus as an adult either. The people missed the Messiah they were desperately looking for. They missed Him because they were looking for something and someone else.
I wonder, is today any different? Does the world make room for Jesus today? Do people miss Him because we’re looking for something or someone else? Friend, what about you and what about me?
Do we make room for Jesus?
We have less than two weeks to prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. It’s easy to be preoccupied this season, especially as it draws near to Christmas Day. I’m praying for you and for me… for us not to be preoccupied with the glitter and sparkle of the season, or with our to-do lists, or with all we have on our plates this season. I’m praying for you and me to make room these days for our Savior. In our hearts and in our lives.
One way to do that is reading the Christmas story. I invite you to join me in doing so. Some suggested readings:
A Savior King is Promised – Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 5:2-5a
The Angel Visits Mary – Luke 1:26-38
The Angel Visits Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25
The Trip to Bethlehem and Stable Lodging – Luke 2:1-7
The Christ Child Is Born – Luke 2:6-7
The Angels Visit the Shepherds – Luke 2:8-14
The Shepherds Visit the Manger – Luke 2:15-18
The Wise Men Travel to Jerusalem – Matthew 2:1-8
The Wise Men Worship the Christ Child – Matthew 2:9-12
The Trip to Egypt – Matthew 2:13-15
I’m reading one each day, and I’m asking God to show me something I’ve missed before in His story.
I do not want to miss the opportunity to draw near to Jesus these next two weeks. I do not want to miss Christmas.
I’m guessing you don’t want to either.
Let’s make room for Him together. What’s one way you can make room for Him today?
Blessings!
Julie
You can catch up on the previous Rediscovering Christmas posts here. Linking this post with my friend Lori. You’ll be blessed to visit her online space.
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I found you on the Moments of Hope link-up. I love your biblical focus. I’m right there with you, trying to Make Room this Christmas season. It’s a gift to refocus on the most important things. Thank you for your ministry!
Welcome, Christine! So glad you stopped over. Yes, it is a gift to refocus on what’s important this season. Glad we can encourage each other to do so. Blessings to you today!
Tweeting your brief but probing question . . . I’m finding that the list is getting shorter and I’m breathing a bit more freely as the “work” of Christmas gets done and I can focus on the work that God has done through His Son.
Yes and yes, Michele! I’m so glad you’re breathing a bit more freely today. May you soak in deep the precious gift of Jesus in the days to come. Thanks for continuing to stop in and share!