There was no room in the inn for Jesus' birth. He was born in a stable. He came to His very own and we didn't receive Him. He was in this world, and the world was made by Him, and the world did not know Him.

There was indifference and rejection waiting for the birth of Jesus in this unwelcoming world. Each one of us has the opportunity to make room for Him. In fact, the Christmas song "Joy to the World" contains this phrase, "Let every heart prepare Him room". How would we do that? We would first of all welcome Him into our heart. We would open the door to Him. We would make available to Him whatever He desired.

Upon receiving His mercy and forgiveness, we would also make sure things were presentable, clean, and in their proper place. Every waking moment we have the opportunity to present ourselves to the Lord, keep our hearts clean (by asking forgiveness and turning from sin) and hear His word to our heart about making ourselves available to Him for whatever He asked. We would properly place every part of our life in obedience to Him.

Jesus is Lord! He transforms the stable of our lives into the dwelling of God! He brings light to our darkness and peace to our troubled hearts. He makes something beautiful out of our brokenness and sorrow. Let every heart prepare Him room and Heaven and nature sing! Merry Christmas!

Pastor Greg Brownell

United Brethren Church, Dayton