Everywhere you look, preparations are well underway for the Christmas season. Let’s face it, the stores have been displaying their holiday décor since ‘Christmas in July’. One quick scroll through social media and you can already see evidence of decked halls, strung lights, and trimmed trees. Hallmark has begun its holiday lineup of heart-warming movies and hopeful children have already started scribbling their letters to Santa.
Amid making our lists and checking them twice, we likely have all the holiday traditions scheduled and may even have plans to attend a Christmas Eve service with loved ones. But have we made room in our schedules and our hearts for the One who is the true reason for the season? Or have we virtually squeezed Jesus out of the holiday designated to celebrate His birth?
While reading the biblical accounts of the nativity story, we can feel disbelief that there were no rooms available for the parents of our Savior to stay in. Yet we often leave little room for Jesus in our lives either. We cringe that Mary was forced to give birth in a barn and lay the Messiah in a manger, while we offer Jesus what’s left of our time, energy, and talents after giving the best of ourselves away to other priorities.
Refrains of “Joy to the World” encourage us to “let every heart prepare Him room.” While many things vie for our time and attention, nothing is more important than the One who left the comforts of Heaven on a rescue mission for us all. If your preparations for Christmas are making it hard for you to make room for Jesus this season, I invite you to be intentional about clearing space in your schedule and your spirit for a birthday celebration fit for our King!
