Are You Making Room for the Savior?

 

Each of us is an Innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus. ~Neal A. Maxwell

In August 1993, we drove from Colorado to New York with a twenty-two-month-old and a three-year-old. The first evening we stopped around seven to get a room.  Town after town along the interstate met us with the same announcement: No Vacancy.  At two a.m. the heavy rain made visibility difficult.  We pulled under yet another hotel’s covered parking area. It had the same blinking neon message. My husband went in to ask if they could help us find a room along our route.  As Doug exited the hotel, a woman rushed up to him. She explained that she and three of her friends had overheard. They had two rooms. 

“We would like to give your family one of our rooms,” she said.

Their generosity still ripples through my life as I look for ways to pay it forward. When we travel at night and see a No Vacancy sign, we recall a group of strangers who made room for us.

I think the ninety-mile journey for Mary and Joseph late in pregnancy would have been slow, almost unbearable, and exhausting. I imagine the last thing they wanted to hear was that there was no lodging available. The refrain repeats every year. There was no room at the inn. We may feel incredulous that no one made room for the birth of Christ. But then the question points to us: Will we make room for him?

There was no room at the inn, so Christ enters the world in a room made for the animals. Mary places the Messiah in a feeding trough. He enters not through earthly power, but through the poor. He enters not into the clean, but into the muck and mire of a stable. Will we allow room for him in our messes too?

The question laps against the hearts of those highlighted in the story of the birth of the Savior. The theme emerges in the gospels. How do people respond to the need to make room for the Messiah?  What can we learn from them?

Gabriel’s visit with Mary frightens, humbles, and perplexes her. The young teenager is chosen to carry the newborn king. She shows love in her trusting reply: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV). Like Mary, we all have the opportunity to surrender and serve. We can all give the light of Christ.

After the angel appears, Joseph makes room for Mary in his life, risking scorn and shame. He allows the divine message to purge disbelief. He gives up his reputation for love. He flees his homeland, family, and culture to protect Jesus.

The angels give assurance, greetings, warnings, and revelation. The heavenly host proclaims the birth announcement. Love creates glory across the sky. The shepherds abandon their post temporarily. Their curiosity and joy rush to see what was just revealed to them. I can see them running, can’t you? After they see the baby in the manger, they spread the good news. They give love back to God with worship and praise. When we see the work of God, we can give it away to others. It isn’t something we ought to keep to ourselves.

Let every heart prepare him room.

In the midst of a hectic season, how do we do this?

During Advent, we have tried to focus on birth of the Messiah, but some years are a blur of activity. Schedules, holiday activities, traditions, and gift giving can crowd out the meaning of Christmas. (None of these things are bad, but even good things can distract us from the real meaning of the holiday. )

Three years ago we added the Cradle-to-Cross Wreath to our table. Each night we move Mary and the donkey forward and light another candle. We ask God to give us understanding of what we read in our Advent devotional. Having a physical reminder each day creates a space to pause and reflect. We remember the importance of making room for his love. We recall that we each have a choice on whether we make room for Christ.

Father, help us to find ways to make more room for you, ways that create space for your love to be seen and given away. Help us to see it as a way we get to say yes, spread joy and do kingdom work we pray that each one of us finds a meaningful way to celebrate the holy season. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

For nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke 1:37 ESV)

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9:2 NIV)

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5 NIV)

Reach for More

For this week’s challenge, we ask that you share a way you or your family make room for Christ during Advent. You never know how your ideas may spark a tradition in another reader.  Please come back and leave a comment telling us how God spoke to you this week, or share on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Terri Fullerton is a wife, empty-nest mom, and mentor who loves stories of redemption and things that are funny. She is currently working on her first book. Terri longs to encourage others to find hope and freedom through her writing about faith, family, hiking, and mental health at Conversations at the Table.

Photograph © Ann Voskamp, used with permission, of Joywares’ Cradle to Cross Wreath