Prepare Him Room

Key Scripture

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. — John 1:9-12 (NIV)

Devotion

When our children were young, we celebrated the days leading up to Christmas with an “Elf on the Shelf” doll named Butterscotch, whose nightly antics captured my children's imaginations. Often, in the morning, we'd laugh and cheer as they discovered Butterscotch making messes in the kitchen or leaving treats from Mrs. Claus. Occasionally, Butterscotch would remain unmoved from his previous day's perch, and we would quiz the kids to see which one had touched him, rendering him unable to fly. We enjoyed this tradition for many years!

But last year, I heard about a Christmas tradition another family had, and I found myself wishing I had heard of it sooner.

A young mother shared that her family sets up a nativity scene without the main characters of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. Each night, Mary and Joseph are moved a little closer to Bethlehem as they make their journey from Nazareth. On Christmas Eve, they finally arrive in Bethlehem, and the next morning, Baby Jesus appears in the manger. They celebrate His arrival with a birthday fit for a King!

What a beautiful way to anticipate and celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Jesus came into the very world He created, yet the world did not recognize Him. He didn't arrive as people expected. He wasn't born into royalty, surrounded by wealth, privilege, or earthly power. Instead, the King of Kings entered this world in the humblest of circumstances. Many overlooked Him, and many did not receive Him. Yet He came with a purpose: to become the perfect sacrifice for all mankind, offering salvation and the opportunity to become children of God.

And what a privilege that is! Through our faith in Him, we are welcomed into His family and given the identity of daughters of the King!

But this passage causes me to pause and consider something. Jesus came, but not everyone recognized Him. He came, but not everyone received Him.

Where in our own lives are we failing to recognize Him? Have we become so caught up in the busyness, traditions, preparations, and expectations of Christmas that we have overlooked the very One we are celebrating? Where in our hearts have we left little or no room for Him?

We can prepare our homes, decorate our trees, wrap our presents, plan our celebrations, and make everything beautiful for Christmas, but have we prepared our hearts?

This Christmas season, my challenge to all of us is to take an honest look at our lives and consider where we can PREPARE HIM ROOM. Let's make room for His presence, His Word, His guidance, and His love. Let's welcome Him into the places we've kept closed, surrender the things we've held onto, and allow Him to take His rightful place at the center of it all.

As the familiar Christmas hymn reminds us:

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing!”

Sisters, may our hearts be the manger where He is always welcome, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the greatest gift ever given, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that You loved us enough to send Him into this world, not as an earthly king surrounded by riches and royalty, but as our humble Savior who would ultimately give His life for ours.

Lord, forgive us for the times we've become so distracted by the things of this world that we've failed to recognize Your presence. Forgive us when we've allowed busyness, expectations, traditions, and even good things to take the place that belongs to You alone.

Prepare our hearts, Lord. Remove anything that would keep us from fully receiving You. Teach us to make room for Your presence, to welcome Your Word, to follow Your leading, and to surrender every area of our lives to You. May the joy of this season be found not in what we give or receive, but in the gift of knowing You.

Let our homes, our hearts, and our lives reflect the love of Christ. And may we never become so familiar with the Christmas story that we lose sight of the miracle of Your Son's arrival.

We welcome You, Jesus. Take Your rightful place in our hearts, today and every day.

In the precious name of Jesus,

Amen!

Personal Growth

Luke 2:6-14; Revelation 3:20; Matthew 6:33; Psalm 27:4; Colossians 3:16-17; Romans 12:1-2; John 1:12; Isaiah 9:6