⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6 – 7 CSB

No Room

No room. No room in homes of family or friends. No room in the traveler’s inn which was little more than an open courtyard with upper and lower levels, if Bethlehem even had one. Instead, the Christ Child was relegated to some sort of shelter for animals. His first crib was a manger where food for the animals was placed. The most important Person to ever dawn on the scene of history was treated as little more than an inconvenience crowding in on the busyness of the time.

Today

Is it any different today? We know the world at large is seeking to expunge His name from the holiday that exists for the very purpose of celebrating His birth. “We’ll keep Christ in Christmas!” is the proud proclamation of His followers. But do we? Too often we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and family gatherings and children’s programs that He hardly gets more than a mere meditation at the dinner table, and that is done only so we can feel better about ourselves.

Keeping Christ

Keeping Christ in Christmas is more than simply saying “Merry Christmas” or having a nativity scene in our front yard. It is the deliberate and intentional act of ensuring that all our celebrations center around Him instead of all the other festivities associated with the season. It is the opening of our hearts to once again be caught up in the wonder of God becoming flesh for the salvation of the world. It is making a heart connection with the truth proclaimed in the carols we love to sing at this time of year.

So let me ask you, is there room for Christ in your Christmas?

M