“Room in the Inn” is a Christmas message I have delivered to various audiences. This topic came up in my Bible study as we talked about the chaos of December and our crazy desire to try and do it all. Based on that, I decided to reprint an edited version of my blog from 2010. I guess if you’re a slow learner like me, some things bear repeating…
19 days to go till Christmas…and my question for you is not, “Have you finished your shopping?”
My question for you is:
“Do you have room in the Inn?”
Most of us know the scripture,
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
You can probably even recite it by memory. And yet sometimes, familiar verses tend to be the ones we gloss over. After all, everyone knows they’re talking about the horrible innkeepers who were oblivious to the Savior of the world’s birth being an event of gigantic proportions they blew off because they were too darn busy at the Inn, right?
19 days to go till Christmas.
I’m sure your brain is on overdrive if you’re anything like me. I’ve got a party for 50+ at my house this weekend, gift buying to do, lights to hang, cards to finish, gifts to wrap, fudge to prepare and deliver, a house to clean, parties to attend! And travel plans of my own to make.
I guess my “inn” is quite full.
It can be difficult to take stock of our “inn” – namely our schedule, our energy, our time. And in case you are relating to this in any way, with 19 days to go till Christmas, I think you can still make room in your inn. Just think, even the Innkeepers in Bethlehem might have had room for Jesus if they had 3 weeks notice!
My favorite thing in the world (pathetic, I know) is to make a beautiful, fresh clean, “TO DO LIST.” Whether you are a list maker or not, we all have things to do. So this year, I challenge you to start making room in your inn by adding 2 critical items to the top of your list.
The first item to place on your “To-Do List” is BE PRESENT.
‘Tis the season of triple bookings. And many of us try to do it all. Believe me, I am the poster child. Yet, when you find yourself running from one great event to the next, I think you end up never really “being” anywhere! We’re just halfway at more places.
Being present requires choosing. Try saying, “I’m sorry I can’t make it to your lovely party because I have a previous commitment.” And stay at the first party you said yes to – the whole time! Or try to focus entirely on your kids while you are decorating those gorgeous cut out cookies, instead of getting them started and then rushing off to finish wrapping their gifts.
Even the Innkeeper didn’t leave his desk – at the very least he was fully present to say NO. And sometimes we have to say no too. Your presence really is present enough.
The next item I want you to put on your “To-Do List” is BE AVAILABLE.
Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world.” It also says in Matthew that we are to let our light shine before men so that they can see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven. If we believe Jesus is the light of the world, are we reflecting him to others? And, have we left ourselves enough time to do so? Being available means allowing God the opportunity to use you even when it is the most inconvenient.
This means saying “yes” even when you don’t think you have time. Like delivering cookies to the neighbor you aren’t feeling very neighborly toward, or bringing a warm cup of coffee to the Salvation Army bell-ringer. Or even inviting someone to your home who has no where else to go for the holidays – even if it “messes up” your previous plans.
19 days to go…but it’s not too late.
There’s still time to be present and be available.
My husband likes to gently remind me when I get caught up in the busyness of the season, “The Savior of the World will still come even if there’s no garland on the stairs.”
So put down that garland and make some Room in your Inn.