“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.” (Luke 2:7 NLT)

 

Imagine for a moment that it’s your birthday and your friends and family have decided to throw you a party. It isn’t just any party. It’s a mega party. Everyone that you know is there. There are gifts galore and the largest cake you’ve ever seen. Your name is strung in lights outside the house. Pictures of you are on display. Songs with your name in them are playing in the background.

But there’s just one small problem with your birthday party. Someone forgot to invite you. At first, you think it’s an oversight. You’re sure that your friends and loved ones want you to be there. But when you arrive at the party, the music is so loud and everyone is so preoccupied that no one opens the door, even though you’re pounding on it. Then you notice that some of the celebrants are looking in your direction. They discreetly whisper to others, who also look in your direction. But they go back to their celebration without stopping to let you in. What you don’t realize is that they’ve decided just to ignore you, hoping that you’ll eventually get tired of knocking and go away. They want to celebrate your birthday without making you the center of attention. They have their own thoughts about how to commemorate your big day, and they don’t want to make things awkward by trying to fit in the things you prefer.

I think Christmas has become like this for many people today. They string their lights. They decorate their trees. They listen to Christmas carols. They run around buying things for everyone they know. But they forget to make room in their schedules for Jesus.

You could argue that Jesus was an outcast from birth. Luke 2:7 says of Mary, “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” (NLT). The innkeeper decided who would enjoy the relative comfort and security of his lodging. Jesus and His parents did not get the invitation.

Jesus had a heart for outcasts because He, too, was an outcast. Luke 15:1–2 says, “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” (NLT). Jesus welcomed people whom others shunned. He made room for everyone in His ministry.

This Christmas, will you make room for Him? Unfortunately, even Christians can become so busy that we forget about Jesus. Let’s not make that mistake this year. Is there room in your Christmas celebration for Christ?

 

Reflection question: How can you put Christ at the center of your Christmas celebration? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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