Prepare Him Room
Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:1-6
As we approach the Christmas season we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus. Advent is an anticipation of the coming Messiah, which, if you think about it, we should be living in advent throughout the year – anticipating Christ’s return as well!
But specifically at Christmas, we celebrate or commemorate the birth of Jesus – the Messiah. Reality will tell us that we really don’t know the actual birth date of Jesus. But it is still good to retell the account every year at Christmas.
Most people know the Christmas story. Even those who have never opened a Bible know from hearing Christmas carols on the radio that some people believe in a baby named Jesus who was born on Christmas day.
I love the line from the Christmas carol “Joy to the World” that says, “Let every heart prepare Him room.”
Every heart prepare. Is my heart prepared for Jesus? What does that really mean?
We read in Isaiah 40:3:
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
There is a highway prepared to go straight to our hearts! But how do I prepare for God? How much room is He going to need? I have a lot of stuff and I’m not sure He really wants to be there anyway.
Isaiah 7:14 tells us:
The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
God with US? Yes! God prepared a way for us because of His great love for us. John 1 tells us He took on flesh and made His dwelling among us. God prepared, waiting until exactly the right time to send His Son Jesus who would save the whole world. God prepared for us. Prepared for us in love.
Isaiah 9:6 syas:
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Let’s look at the account from Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
No room. The inn was crowded on the night Jesus was born. They were turned away. There was no guest room prepared to receive Jesus. We can assume that the owner of the town inn didn’t know these people who were in desperate need of a room. They didn’t know who Mary was or that she was about to deliver the Savior of the world. And I don’t think there was much time to explain everything, nor did anyone take the time to ask.
Is your heart too crowded for Jesus this Christmas? Crowded with discontentment? Jesus is a gift for you. With sin? Jesus died for you. With grief or anxiety? Jesus sees you. With disbelief or fear? Jesus loves you.
In John 15 we read Jesus’ words: “Abide in me and I will abide in you.” Jesus prepared to be with us and is prepared to remain or abide in us! Emmanuel – God with us!
Have you heard of Jesus but you don’t really know Him? He is waiting for you! God made a way to be with you by sending His son, Jesus to die on the cross for you to bring you forgiveness and to restore your relationship with Him. And then God raised Jesus from the dead to give us – to give you eternal life! What a gift!
This free gift of love is prepared and waiting for you. You may be thinking, “There’s too much stuff in my heart.” Well, here’s the best part: you don’t have to clean up the stuff before coming to Jesus! There is no pre-requisite or anything you need to do. Jesus did all the hard work! You just have to be willing to open your heart to Him and receive the gift. Let Him get the “junk” out!
Will you open your heart to Him?
For those who do know Jesus as Savior, I ask you, is your heart prepared for a deeper indwelling? Will you make space and take time for Him, to get to know Him? Will you look for opportunities to be used by Him or to see Him in the people around you? Are you ready for more of Him or have you let some things into your heart that are now crowding His dwelling? Give it over to the “Abider” – the Messiah – and allow Him to do a new work in your heart today.
“O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.”
Heather Hanton
Media and Ministries Specialist
The Salvation Army Central Territory
Women’s Ministries Department
