You know, the guy in Bethlehem who told Mary and Joseph he had no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7 explains:

“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

For the first time, I questioned this simple verse and put myself in the situation:

I mean, Mary was full-term with her pregnancy and she had just traveled a great distance on an animal. She had to have looked so tired. So great with child. So dirty. (Possibly even so crabby.)

As Mary and Joseph knocked and waited at the door, I bet they were excited to be at the destination and looking forward to a rest. But… the innkeeper somehow opened the door, saw a very pregnant young girl, and said there was no room for them.

Seems pretty hard-hearted to me.

I’d like to think if I had been the innkeeper and opened the door that night, I would have found a couch or a chair or something for that sweet Mary to take a rest… in the inn and not outside in the barn.

But it got me thinking…

Each of us is the innkeeper of our own heart. When Jesus knocks, we get to decide if we are going to let him in, or if we are too full of other things to make room for him.

Revelation 3:20-21 says it this way:

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”

Sweet Friends, each day you have the opportunity to make as much room as you can in your heart for Jesus. You are the innkeeper! Maybe that means you need to clean out some things that are taking up space. Or perhaps you need to take a step of courage and let him make some changes in your life. Whatever it may be, I invite you to make room.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for being so loving and kind, there is no one like you! I invite you to come into my heart today; I desire to have more of you. Help me to clear out the things in my heart that are getting in the way of your glory and goodness, and then fill me to overflowing. I humbly ask for more of you, and less of the world.

Amen.

Merry Christmas RCC ladies!

I love you all. We are truly better together.

Mint