Prepare Him Room
Saturday - December 4th
Scripture to Read Today: Luke 2:1-7
Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:7
The Jewish people and even foreign Wisemen expected that the promised and prophesied Messiah of Israel would be born to a royal family in a palatial palace. The newborn king would have the fanciest and coziest cradle of the day. Royal decrees would announce his birth to the world.
God had other plans. Plans hinted at in the prophecies of the Old Testament, but subtle enough that few saw the humble, ordinary entrance of the Messiah into the world. A small village in the Judea Hills, a stable made for animals, a livestock feeding trough, and strips of ordinary cloth all made the birth of the Christ child rather unremarkable and mundane.
Even the reception Joseph, Mary, and their baby experienced in Bethlehem extended the out-of-the-spotlight arrival of the King of Kings. Luke 2:1-7 records the birth of Jesus in simple terms, emphasizing His lowly beginnings on earth. At the end of this summary paragraph, we learn that the baby arrived in a stable and was placed in a manger. The odd location and details surrounding the baby's birth happened because there was no room for Him anywhere in Bethlehem.
With Bethlehem as busy as ever, there was no room for Jesus. One of the great Christmas carols, "Joy to the World," urges us all to "prepare Him room!" No one prepared room for Him the night of His birth, but all of us are called to open our minds, hearts, and lives to Him today. This weekend at Calvary Community Church, we launch our "Prepare Him Room" Christmas sermon series.
During the next few weeks of the Advent season, our devotionals will follow the texts and themes illustrating how we can prepare room for Christ in our lives. Ask the Lord to show you the place in your life and the pockets of your heart that remain closed to Christ. Let's ask Him to show us what it means to "Prepare Him Room!"
Our lives can become so busy and complex that we leave little room for Jesus. Let's make room in our lives for Him!