Message From The Manger

“And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:7 (AMP)


Making room for others is the heart of Christmas that the Lord reminded me of this morning. I was standing in a long line today at the bank getting some cash to help a family in need and in front of me was a young man in his early twenties. When it was his turn to use the ATM he turned to me and said, “I’m just holding my grandpa’s place in line” and I told him “no problem” as he signaled his grandfather who was staying warm inside their parked car. As his elderly grandpa made his way from the car I told the young man that he was “a good grandson”.

Nothing says I love you like making room for someone just as the opposite is true. That message was loud and clear to Jospeh and Mary that first Christmas morning when Mary’s firstborn son Jesus was born into this world. God’s gift to mankind and yet the world was too busy to make room for the Son of glory just as the Word of God prophesied would happen.

I can remember fondly growing up and making some treasure for my Mom and how she would go out of her way to find the perfect place to display it regardless of what she needed to move to make room for it. It made no difference if it was a craft project, a drawing or painting that I had made. Anyone who knew my Mom knows she was into clutter to put it mildly but no matter how much stuff she might have had she always made room to display the gifts I or my sisters and brother made for her. Her making room made us feel loved.

I pray you feel loved today knowing Jesus has made room for you to come to Him. Can you recall a time in your life when a friend made room for you so you could sit by them in a crowded cafeteria or room or on a bus ride where all the seats were taken. Making room for others when there appears to be none sends a message loud and clear, “You matter to me.” How about a perfect stranger? Has someone ever stood on a bus or train or in a crowded restaurant or doctors office so you could sit? Has anyone ever offered their seat on an airplane so that you could sit next to your traveling companion? Making room for others is the gift of preference as Philippians 2:3-4 instructs us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Making room for others is just one of the great qualities that set Jesus apart from everyone else. Even now John’s gospel (John 14) tells us Jesus is making room for us that one day we can be with Him.

There has been a space problem surrounding Jesus ever since the day He was born into this world. Making room for Jesus is a choice God leaves for us to make knowing our failure to do so doesn’t deter God’s plan, it only robs us of the opportunity to come and behold Him, to know the joy of worshipping the King of glory! We read in Luke’s account that there was no room nor place for Jesus to be born in the inn. Then you have the apostle John ending his gospel account of the life of Jesus life with these words, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written.” John 21:25 (AMP). In the case of Jesus birth no one made room for His birth and regarding capturing all of Jesus accomplishments in His 33 years of earthly ministry John tells us there is not enough room to contain all the books that would be written about Him. Yes, loved one, making room for Jesus in our hearts and homes is not a new problem.

Lets determine to learn the lesson of the manger this Christmas. Keep in mind that God loves people and that Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost. Don’t allow yourself to get so distracted by all the trappings of the commercialism surrounding the holiday season. Don’t let all the restrictions placed on our lives because of Covid-19 keep you from making room for Jesus in celebrating Christmas this year. Nothing communicates a person’s social value more than inclusion. It might take some planning and a little extra time but let’s not repeat the mistake of that first Christmas where they failed to make room for Jospeh and Mary as she gave birth to her first born son. Just because you might not be gathering together there are countless was to reach out to others, to show them the love and the care of God.

Make room for Jesus by making room for others. This year more than others you might need to go the extra mile to bless the people in your life. Trust me in this, it will be one of the most memorable miles of your life! A world motivated by fear locks the doors shutting out those in need and out in the cold. People who make room for others are motivated by God’s love and demonstrate the true spirit of Christmas. May you enjoy the best Christmas yet as you make room for Jesus in every aspect of your life, in your heart and in your home!


 
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Revelation 3:20  
 

Merry Christmas!


I LOVE YOU!