Thursday, December 24, 2015

No Room...

Every year I read the Christmas story it seems something different stands out to me. This year is no different. As I was reading Luke's account of the birth of Christ the phrase "no room in the inn" stood out. This by no means is a new concept or thing to ponder, however, I began to ask myself if this statement would be true in my home. Scary to think that in a pastor's home there would be no room for Christ, the Son of God; especially at Christmas!

I have pondered this question quite a bit this season. Is Christ just a part of why I am celebrating or is He the reason I am celebrating? Do we rush through the story of His birth to feel better about ourselves as we "move on" with the day. Amidst the schedules, parties, and church events have we lost room in our hearts to focus on Him?

I love word studies so I did one on the "inn" mentioned in Luke 2:7. The Greek for this word is κατάλυμα "katalyma" meaning  (lodging place; guest room; inn; lodging). It is interesting the only other place this word is used is when Jesus ask His disciples to find a "guest room" for them to celebrate the Passover and see if it was ready Luke 22:11. An "inn" or "guest room", either place is a place designated to bring someone in. John 1:14 says that the Word became flesh and "dwelt" among us! To dwell is to live, take up residence, encamp or pitch a tent. In the Old Testament God came and Tabernacled with His people Israel. He "dwelt" among them. This tent of worship was distant for some, not personal. Christ has come to dwell with us... we have the option to allow Him to live and take up residence or encamp and pitch a tent at a distance. 

With the Christmas holiday we had to get our guest room ready again. It never fails to amaze me how that room can build up clutter, we tend to not change the sheets until the last minute. This can be true in our lives as well. We can allow that "lodging place" where Christ should dwell in our lives to begin to fill up with clutter, we can leave things not taken care of in our hearts, or allowing our lives to clutter up with being busy so that we end up pushing Christ out of our lives to the outskirts, to a tent in the yard or a stable by the inn.  

This Christmas, let's allow Christ to take up residence. It amazes me that He gives us the promise of never leaving us, even when we push Him away so far and give Him no room in our lives. What a gift. This Christmas and each day that follows, let's draw close to Him and prepare a place for Him in our lives as He prepares a place for us in Heaven!

Merry Christmas!

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