“She (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.” Luke 2:4-7
Lord Jesus, no detail of your birth was left to chance, including a less than ideal “birthing-unit.” But rather than guilting a nameless inn-owner, how do we who love you fail to “make room” for you?
Have we become more hospitable to our fears and worries than to you, Jesus, taking our anxieties with us into every room—interacting with them more than we fellowship with you? Perhaps providing safe harbor to our anger and nourishment to our grudges preoccupy us more than we realize. So much so, we’ve grown deaf to you calling to us, saying, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Rev. 3:20).
But Jesus, you’re not shivering outside in the cold—shifting your weight, blowing warm air onto your hands, so hoping to come in and warm yourself with a cup of hot chocolate. We’re the ones with warm bodies, but chilly hearts, as we throw more logs of busy-ness, unguarded-heart, and people-pleasing into our fireplaces and firepits.
The grace-irony is this, Jesus, it is you who have made room for us in your heart. There is no greater welcome or hospitality than the Gospel.. You’re not mad at us; you’re “madly committed” to filling us up and freeing us up to know you, glorify you, and enjoy you forever. Thank you, Jesus, and may it be, Lord. So Very Amen.