I know I’m writing too many Christmas posts, but I just love this time of year. And its significance. And its importance in understanding God. So, bear with me. I hope it helps you to focus on what is truly important in life, and at Christmastime.
Luke 2:7 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Isn’t this one of the saddest parts of the Christmas story? There was no room. No room in the inn. No room for Jesus. And yet, how often in our celebrations do we make no room or little room for Jesus? Or is that just a cliché?
I have to admit, other preparations have consumed my time this month. I cut down a tree, brought it back to the house, and hung all our ornaments on it. I’ve decorated the bannisters and the mantel and any free surfaces I could find. I put up lights inside and outside, wanting the house to be cozy and Christmasy before my children came home from college. I’ve worn my feet out shopping. I’ve wrapped the gifts, hiding them in secret places until Christmas Eve. I’ve attended obligatory Christmas get-togethers, trying to figure out who I need to give a gift to in order not to insult anyone. I’ve made spritz cookies, Spanish nut cookies, candy cane cookies, peanut butter balls, mints balls, and rice krispie treats. I’ve made sure all the special Christmas foods are on hand, ready to be made on December 24th and 25th. The turkey is thawing in the refrigerator. Have I forgotten anything?
Oh, yes, Jesus. Well, I haven’t forgotten him completely. I put up a manger scene. We’ve been reading Ishtar’s Odyssey with our 10-year-old for advent this year. I’ve been following a scripture-a-day chart for the month of December, helping me to focus on the Christmas story in the Bible. I’ve listened to my Christmas playlist on Spotify with many songs reminding me of Jesus. But, am I still missing something? Is Jesus being crowded out? Am I turning him away, as the innkeeper did, because the crowds of people and things are just too much? How else can I welcome him?
Here’s a very short list of other ways I’ve thought of to welcome Jesus. I probably won’t perfectly complete this list during this season. But, it’s really not about this season anyway, it’s about all year long. It’s not a very long list, but perhaps it’s enough to get us started with our own lists for welcoming Jesus.
~confess my selfishness of wanting to make life good for only me, and those closest to me
~give up some time just to sit in God’s presence
~make everyone feel welcome who comes to my door
~take the time to care for the person I see at the grocery store stressed and crying
~send a card to the person I like the least
~have a more patient attitude
~appreciate the mailperson and garbage men with a token of kindness
Oh, there’s so much more we could do. But perhaps it starts with small acts of giving up self in order to embrace others. That’s what Jesus did. I will leave you with some words to two Christmas hymns that I love. Perhaps you can pray these prayers with me:
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!
O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.
Be born in me today. Welcome, Jesus. May the change in me be as great as the change that happened in the world on that night so long ago in Bethlehem.
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