I find it hard to believe another celebration of our Savior’s birth has come and gone for 2023, and we head into another new year!
I love the Christmas story! I never get tired of hearing it. I reflected on the part where Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to register in Joseph’s hometown for the census decreed by Caesar Augustus for the entire Roman world. Mary was expecting her precious baby, who would one day save the world. She told Joseph, “It’s time!“
They couldn’t find a room; there was nothing available. There was not one room available for this baby to be born. They found a stable and settled in there. Mary gave birth to our Savior and King, Jesus! She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.
What a humble and precious story. As I reflected on this age-old story, the words “Prepare Him Room“ came to my heart.
During the hustle and bustle of this beautiful season, I always stop and ask myself, “Am I preparing room for my Savior? Does He have room in my heart? Will He find a vacancy?“ Well, He certainly deserves it! After all, He stepped down from His throne in heaven and humbled Himself to be born as a baby, to live, and to be just like us. But this baby was different. This baby would live and die for us and give us eternal life! What a story! What a blessing!
How excited the people must have been to celebrate Christ’s first coming! May we look continually with excitement and anticipation of His second coming! To prepare our hearts for Him, that He would find hearts filled with love, loving one another, and telling the amazing story to those who have never heard it before. Jesus! What a Savior and our Mighty King!
Isaiah 40:3 says,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the Way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God!“
As we reflect on all our blessings and life events in 2023, let’s remember who deserves all the glory; yes, it’s Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Let’s take time to prepare Him room in our hearts and lives in the new year 2024. Let’s not give Him a tiny little place in our hearts but open our whole hearts to Him, surrender to Him, and allow Him to work through us. Let’s usher God deep into our hearts this year. Let’s prepare Him room so He can fill our hearts with His love, promises, and everlasting joy. Thank you, Jesus, for eternal life through you.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” ~ Numbers 6:24-26
Beth Nahkala
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#bethnahkalablogs
