As we reflect on the birth of christ, we are touched by the fact that there was no room for Jesus in the inn. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
Jesus came into a world that had no room for Him. “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not” (John 1:10). Jesus created the world and all things in it (col 1:16), and yet the world had no room for its Creator.
Jesus’ own nation had no room for Him. Jesus was of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, and of the family of David. You would think if any nation would have had room for Jesus, it would have been His own nation. but, “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11).
Jesus’ own village had no room for Him. Oh, yes, they had room for Him while he was a boy. They had room for Him while He worked in the carpenter shop. but after Jesus began His ministry of teaching and performing miracles, His village had no more room for Him! Luke 4:16- 30 tells us how the townspeople at Nazareth rejected Him so strongly that they “led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong.” Finally, the efforts of the village, the nation, and the world culminated in the crucifixion of Jesus on Calvary. There the Son of God shed His blood and died for people who had no room for Him.
As we look ahead to Christmas, it seems apparent that many people have no room for Jesus in their Christmas. A lot of time is spent in running from store to store, a lot of money is spent on gifts, and a lot of effort is put into unnecessary decorations. by the time Christmas eve arrives, many folks have run themselves weary, and when Christmas is over, they feel depressed. I believe this problem may be closer to us than we would like to admit.
The saddest thing that is happening today is that many have no room for Jesus in their hearts. An unknown hymn writer penned these words:
Have you any room for Jesus, He who bore your load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission, Sinner, will you let Him in?
Room for pleasure, room for business, But for Christ the Crucified,
Not a place that He can enter, In the heart for which He died?
Have you any room for Jesus, As in grace He calls again?
O today is time accepted, Later you may call in vain.
Room and time now give to Jesus, Soon will pass God’s day of grace;
Soon thy heart left cold and silent, And thy Savior’s pleading cease.
Room for Jesus, King of glory! Hasten now His Word obey;
Swing the heart’s door widely open, bid Him enter while you may.
December 1992