Do you have room?

A week before Christmas. The tree is up.  The lights are on.  A gentle snow is falling.  The presents are wrapped.  The sound of Christmas music lingers in the air.  Family traditions.  Cookie making.

Everything is right with the world.  Or is it? 

The tree was knocked over by the pets.  Some lights are out.  More snow.  Another gift to buy? The hustle and bustle of overfilled parking lots and long lines at stores.  Hark the Herald Angels....AGAIN?  Who's coming over?  Burned batches of Christmas cookies.  Stomach ache from eating too many cookies.  Who cares if they're slightly crispy?

Try and make it to church to hear the Christmas story and be reminded of why we really celebrate.

I heard a song on the radio today:  While You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns.  Maybe I've heard it before, but today it sunk in.  The song talks about Bethlehem and the city not realizing who they did not make room for.  The city of Jerusalem not realizing the fact that they killed the Savior.  The United States of America - will we be ready when we get another chance to make room for Jesus when He returns? 

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)   ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

It was not only the innkeeper or the town of Bethlehem that did not make room.  It was not only the city of Jerusalem that crucified their Savior.  It is not only the nation of the USA that is not making room or spreading the news of His coming again.  It is me.....and  maybe you....getting to caught up in the season and all its busy-ness that we have forgotten.....Jesus needs room.....still.

Will you be sleeping?  Will you recognize Him?  Will you make room?

John 1: 9-13 (NIV)  

 ⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.