When you hear that Christmas morning is seven days away, what is your first feeling?
This time of year is filled with so much hustle and bustle. There are many fun gatherings, programs, and events that we are excited to attend. Still, there may also be work deadlines, financial stress, children on a different schedule, and family dynamics that can cause extra anxiety to creep in. With all that is happening this week, it is easy to go into "I have just to get it done" mode and miss the most beautiful time of the year.
This morning, as you carve out these few minutes, let's listen to the words of the song, Make Room, by Casting Crowns. As this song played on the radio this week, my eyes filled with tears. It spoke directly to me and helped me realize I was letting the shallowness of the world get in the way of remembering what Christmas is all about. John 1:14 says "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus came to embrace us with his love, give us unending grace, blanket us with peace, and ground us in the truth. He is the opposite of the world, which loves chaos and wants us to be frazzled. Emmanual left heaven and humbly came into this world to rescue you and me. He came right in on our level. Although he was the King of the World, Lord of all Creation he was born not in the comfort of his home or even the inn but was laid to rest in a manger. Luke 2:7 shares, "She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn." His perfect plan to bring light into the world was to walk beside regular ordinary folks and mentor, instruct, teach, and guide them (being a wonderful counselor) because he knew his dwelling place would be in his followers' hearts. In Acts 1, verse 8, Before Jesus returns to heaven, he tells his disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This Christmas and every day, let Jesus take up residence in your heart. Make room for the greatest gift you will ever receive.
I invite you to press play, close your eyes, and listen to the words.
