“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

As these familiar words are read every Christmas, we repeat them in our minds. Having heard them so often, most of us know them by heart. And every year, other pastors and I try to give you a fresh perspective through our preaching concerning this age-old story. Sadly, as much as we love to hear the story, too often we quickly put it out of our thoughts as soon as we leave the services of God’s house because of all our preparations and festivities of the holiday season. Too often, just like those people of Bethlehem that first Christmas, we cannot find room for the Christ child.

We are creatures of habit, and it seems that it’s quite difficult to change our old habits, most of which are not very beneficial. Yet, if we keep our focus on that simple message of Christmas, we might be able to create some new habits. Instead of hurriedly scanning our devotions for the day, we might make it a habit to remind ourselves that it is God Himself speaking to us through His Word. A Word that gives us forgiveness, life and salvation—gifts beyond all cost and compare to any under the tree! Instead of uttering a quick, “Good morning, how are you?” to others, we might actually take a few minutes to wait for the answer and offer encouragement and maybe even pray with a colleague, a friend, a family or fellow church member. Instead of setting our own schedules, we might ask God to teach us to number our days aright so that we that we might proceed in His wisdom (Psalm 90:12). What other good habits could we establish if we focused on “our LORD Jesus Christ, [Who] though He was rich, yet for [our] sake[s] became poor, so that [we] through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9)?

Do you have room for Jesus this season? By His grace, may God warm our cold hearts and give us the desire to make room for His Son—room in our busy day-to-day schedules to receive Him who comes to us in His Word and Sacraments, room in our plans to serve Him, room in our finances to give where there is need, room in our lives to allow Him to work His will in and through us for the benefit of those around us. 

May God grant that you make room for Jesus in your lives and hearts, not just this season, but year-round! A blessed Advent and Christmas season to all!


Your Servant in Christ,
Pastor J. Kevin Wyckoff