Making Room For the Joy-Giver

How ‘prepared’ are you, friend?

With the season of Advent upon us, how is the preparation and anticipation of the celebration of Christmas going for you?

Every year, I convince myself I’ll be better organized next time. Shop earlier, decorate prettier, bake sooner, wrap faster, visit calmer— but here I am again.

So I pause, and as I link my arm through yours, I invite you to ponder these words alongside me for just a moment:

“Let every heart prepare Him room”

These lyrics from a joy-filled carol penned over 300 years ago, seem to cut me to the quick today. With all our preparations of house and home, food and family, gifts and gatherings—how are our hearts faring?

How much room are you making for Jesus this Christmas?

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7b, NIV).

Jesus is no stranger to being told there is no room.

As a newborn, He was placed in a coarse wooden manger because there was no room available for Him at the start of His earthly life.

Only to be later nailed to a coarse wooden cross because He longed for us to make room in our hearts for Him as Lord and Savior… and His cruel death and glorious resurrection were the only way.

No Christmas shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping, or visiting compares to the wonders of His love for us!

So, let’s focus on the One who brings true joy to our world: Jesus.

This advent season, may we inhale His goodness and exhale His grace, while our joy-filled hearts take delight in preparing Him room!