Making Space for Jesus

I love everything about Christmas, the movies, the baking, the songs, the lights…

It’s easy to get lost in the wonder and beauty of Christmas but in just a few days, we will be taking down the tree, the lights, the decorations but we can never take down Jesus.

Today we celebrate Jesus who came to us, as a baby in a manger, but Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.

Jesus is the light in the midst of our dark world, Jesus is our wonderful counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus rules and reins in power and justice over every earthly authority.

When Jesus came as a baby, on that first Christmas day, when Love came down to earth HE never left.

Jesus made room for us in our Darkness

In Luke 2:1-7 we see Mary and Joseph traveling.

Mary pregnant with Jesus. Having to travel miles to fulfill a government mandate… a census.

And after an exhausting journey they finally arrived at their destination but because there was so many people coming from out of town, there was no rooms available.

So Mary and Joseph made there accommodations with the barn with the animals.

Jesus, welcome to our world full of darkness yet the light of the world was born in a stable, lying in a feeding trough, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Times were dark and difficult. God choose the most stressful time to come to earth but it was all how God orchestrated everything.

In our mind the timing and the circumstances were not ideal but to God, everything was fulfilled according to HIS miraculous plan.

Born in Bethlehem.

Born of a virgin.

Born through the Linage of King David.

Born to fulfill God’s promise… not in a bright luxurious palace but in a small town, in darkness, in a drafty stable, lying in a manger.

God was faithful to show us according to HIS Word that God is with us in our darkness.

Jesus made room for us in our ordinary day.

In Luke 2:8-15 an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds watching over their flocks at night.

The shepherds were working the night shift, guarding their sheep.

These shepherds did show up to their shift thinking, “Hey Joe wouldn’t that me awesome if an angel came to tell us good news about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger?”

No, they were just doing their job. They were just doing the same job they did yesterday and the day before…

They happened to be present the day God became present with us.

This wasn’t an accident or a coincidence… it wasn’t a lucky strike at night that they happened to be a part of the birth of Jesus.

Even after Jesus came to earth as a little baby in a manger, where shepherds came, and angels sang, and wise men brought gifts.

Even 2000 years later, Emmanuel is still true, God is still with us.

No matter how common, or tedious the task or the job might be, Jesus made room for us, even in our ordinary day.

The shepherds could have just disregarded the angels proclamation.

They could have responded like King Herod with the wise men and rely just on second hand info to learn about the Messiah coming… but they went and became one of the first to see Jesus.

Jesus will always make room for us in our day but we have to create space for HIM so we can respond to God being present with us in every ordinary day.

Jesus made room for us and HE’s still with US

Even in our muck and mire. Even though the world didn’t make room for Jesus, Jesus made room for us.

Remember how Mary responded… how the shepherds were in awe and worshipped.

Luke 2:19–20 NLT

19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Let this be that Christmas where we slow down and make room for Jesus.

When things are dark, when life is confusing, when people are difficult, make room for Jesus.

Tomorrow Christmas will be here and the next day it will be gone but don’t stop making room for Jesus.

Now as we hold our candle we don’t see the benefit and beauty until our candle is lit.

We see Jesus presented in John’s Gospel as the Word of God, the Light in our darkness, the creator of everything, the beginning and the end.

John 1:1–5 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Light the candle

Jesus is the light in the darkness and the darkness has and will not overcome it.

John 1:9–12 (ESV)

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Jesus came to make room for HIMSELF in a world that doesn’t want to make room for Jesus. But, we are presented an invitation to be a part of HIS wonderful family.

The Word, Jesus, may not be accepted, applauded or appreciated but when we receive Jesus we are HIS children we are little lights that reflect Jesus.

Spread the Light.

Sing Silent Night

Nothing can replace the light of Jesus. Only Jesus is the light in our darkness.

As HIS children, as we abide in the love of Jesus… God’s love illuminates our hearts and we reflect the love of Jesus in the midst of our darkness.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.