“Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare Him room!” When the Son of God came to dwell among men over 2,000 years ago, He was welcomed by very few… His parents, a handful of shepherds, and some wisemen from afar. The cold indifference of the city of Bethlehem to the holy baby’s birth was symbolic of the hearts of all men and their spiritual response to the Savior of the world. The people of Israel at that time had no room for the promised Messiah. They believed that because they were born as Jews, they were in a good relationship with God. They wanted God to accept them because they kept His law, but God wanted them to accept His Son! It is my prayer that each lady who reads these words has prepared room in her heart for the only begotten Son of God!
Trusting that each of you has received the greatest gift of all- salvation, let me share a few verses:
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)
As believers, Christ desires us to continually “prepare Him room” in our lives. And the truth is, He’s already with us! We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God Who has promised to never leave or forsake us.
Three things we can do this coming week to give Jesus first place:
1. Let go of perfection. Toss it out the door! The only perfect, important, magnificent reality about the night of Jesus’ birth is that He was there. His parents were imperfect. The manger was humble. The divine Son of God was surrounded by the common and insignificant. But His presence made all the difference.
“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)
2. Sometimes we need to be silent and still. Clear the clutter of mind and things.
“But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Habakkuk 2:20)
3. Worship and adore Him.
“Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, when Thou camest to earth for me; but in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room for Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.”
“Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for He is raised up out of His holy habitation.” (Zechariah 2:13)
Is there room for Christ in your plans this Christmas? In your celebrations? In your devotions? In your gifting? In your faithfulness to His church? You know, the Christmas season usually means we’re adding even more to schedules that are already too full. Be reminded of your first love, and celebrate Him! (V.K.S.)
