The stories of Christmas are famous for how they ask people to make room for Jesus. The innkeeper is asked to find a place for Mary and Joseph to stay. Joseph is asked to make room for someone else’s child and Mary is asked to make space for Jesus to gestate and grow inside her—she also made space in her heart…..
Abby Ball, Contemplating Christmas
It is the holiest of all nights. The Son of God is poised to enter a world of human discontent, clothed in human skin, and totally dependent on a young, inexperienced couple to provide the necessities of life. Mary and Joseph have reached this day with joy and awe that such a miracle would be delivered through them while at the same time must have had lingering questions about how their future would actually play out. Their welcome to Bethlehem was an ungracious line about there being no more room for them to lay their weary heads.
At the same moment in time, on a quiet hillside just outside of town, a band of motley shepherds was awakened from sleep by angels whose sounds of heavenly music filled the sky and their bright light illuminated the darkness. These shepherds were a curious lot who took off toward Bethlehem as soon as the angels had delivered their message about a very special baby sleeping in a manger.
Also at the same time, scholars, likely astronomers and other scientific minded men, traveled toward a star that hung over Bethlehem pointing the way to a child whom they believed to be a Savior. And they had been instructed by King Herod to point him toward this child so that he also might worship.
These are the people who took note of what was happening that night. All others were oblivious, living life, going about their chores. Now, of course we know that Herod’s motive was not innocent…his intent was to eliminate the threat of that child taking over his throne.
Sometimes I find it hard to be joyful when contemplating the birth because history informs me of all that comes after. I know that Bethlehem was the first stop on Jesus’ earthly journey to a cross on Calvary. I can see Him on the ground in Gethsemane pouring out his own fears and asking God to take this terrible ordeal from him but only if it was His Father’s will. And, of course, it wasn’t. That moment also had been a part of the plan from the beginning.
There were prophecies that shared all the details of Jesus’ birth, life, and death. But man just didn’t want to know. And isn’t it still the case? Scientists today argue that none of the story could be factual because scientific evidence concludes the impossibility of it. And yet faith insists that it is real.
…but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:10-11
And so, on this night of nights, I will join the singing, find wonder in the star, and mentally visit the Baby in the manger. I will celebrate the birth of my Savior and treasure the moments. Easter will follow all too quickly, but for now, I feel joy beyond expression, and I know that I can reside with Him forever in peace and gratitude because I know the rest of the story. I’ve made a space for Him in my heart that can never be taken from me.
What a delightful promise he makes! We make room for Him in our hearts, and He makes room for us in His house!
Max Lucado, When Christ Comes
He came for me, and He came for you….
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!
