No Room!

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

We've all heard the story of how there was no room in the inn for Mary to give birth to Jesus, and that's why Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger. As an adult, I'm always surprised to find how many details of the story have been added along the way, as it is repeated again and again. Growing up, I always thought the story included an elaborate account of Joseph and Mary traveling from inn to inn and asking for lodging. As it turns out, the text doesn't include many details, at all. 

However, it does state, She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

From Jesus' very earliest days, people lacked room for Him. In a literal sense, the innkeeper didn't have a place for Him. But, if we spin this scenario into our world today, I wonder how many of us lack room for Jesus in our lives? I would be curious to know how many of us have spent as much time preparing our hearts for Christmas as we've spent preparing our homes. 

The last thing I want in my life is to compartmentalize Jesus in me.

God, allow me to erupt with your story and your glory. May my life have intentional space carved out just for you. 

Lindsey Pond