Christmas: Make Room For Jesus

Luke 2:6-7, 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 room for them in the inn. Have you ever felt rejected and unwanted?

Have you ever felt like you don't belong, you just don't fit in? It's one of the most painful experiences in life, when no one has time or space for you. Many people have committed suicide, because they felt no longer wanted or useful; they felt they have become a burden to everyone else. Feeling unwanted or not needed will cause a person to withdraw and go into isolation. Perhaps no human being felt that deep, sharp edge of personal rejection more than Jesus Christ, from the time He was born till the very day He died. For the most part, Jesus was an unwanted man. Imagine that: in a world where the most notorious criminals are Most Wanted, the best human being to ever live on earth the world's Most "Unwanted". During Christmas, why don't we declare Jesus Christ Most Wanted? Why don't we make room for Him? That must be the best thing we can do for Christmas: make room for Jesus.

Four Reasons Why You Should Make Room For Jesus

1. He has made room for you.
First, when He made the world, He made room for us, just like He made for Adam. John 1:3, Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Genesis 2:8, Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. He made plenty of room for everyone, for all the families, peoples, languages, and nations of the world.

Second, He made room for us in His life and ministry. He extends to us an open and standing invitation...Matthew 11:28, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Third, On the cross, Jesus made room for us. That space is called Paradise. What He said to the thief on the cross, He says to anyone who turns to Him for forgiveness... Luke 23:43, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.

2. He has made room for Himself in your spirit.
When He made you, He made room for Himself. When you let Him become your Savior, He will occupy that room He already made for Himself. It's that God-shaped void in you that was designed and intended for Jesus Christ alone to fill up. 1 Corinthians 3:16, Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19, Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

3. He wants you to welcome Him into His room. John 14:23, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

4. Jesus is still making room for you to live forever with Him in Heaven. John 14:2-3, 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Ten Easy Ways to Make Room For Jesus at Christmas

1. Remind yourself in prayer that Christmas is all about Jesus, not about you. Guide your shopping by the consciousness that Christmas is all about Jesus.
2. Let your family know that Christmas is Jesus' birthday, not their birthday. Even if their birthday falls on December 25th, it is still Jesus' birth that we celebrate on Christmas Day.
3. Enmesh yourself in Christmas music. Sing and/or play Christmas songs about the birth of Jesus.
4. Say “Merry Christmas”, “Blessed Christmas” or “Happy Christmas”, rather than “Happy Holidays”. When you see or hear “Happy Holidays”, call someone on it in a gentle and friendly but firm way. Say something like, “If it were Valentine's Day, would you say 'Happy Holiday'? So why don't you want to say 'Christmas'? Is that because it has 'Christ' in it?” Wear a big smile throughout this conversation. If it's not reasonable to have a conversation, you can just respond with “Merry Christmas” every time you hear “Happy Holidays”. And when you see a “Happy Holidays” sign at a store where you shop, for Jesus' sake stop by the customer service desk and say, “You know some of your loyal customers would appreciate it if your store said 'Merry Christmas' on the sign rather than 'Happy Holidays'”. You may even give a short note to the manager. No need to issue a threat or ultimatum that you'll never shop there again; just submit your simple request and move on, let the Lord handle it .
5. In the days leading up to Christmas Day, read the Christmas story as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. That's Matthew chapters 1 & 2 and Luke chapters 1 & 2.
6. Attend at least one Christmas event – an advent journey, Christmas concert, Christmas cantata, Christmas Eve service.
7. Make it a point to give every Christmas card and present you in the name of Jesus Christ. Use Christmas cards that are Christ-centered, not holiday cards. Write Jesus or Christ on it somewhere someway if you want to write a personal note in addition to the greeting card's message. You might write, “This card comes from me to you in the name of Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.” Or you may simply say, “Let's keep Christ in Christmas.”
8. On Christmas morning, celebrate Jesus before opening Christmas presents or doing any other Christmas thing. (a) Sing a Christmas carol; or play a Christmas carol and sing along. (b) Read one account of the Christmas story from a simple translation; or retell the story. (c) Pray – thank God for sending Jesus Christ as His best Christmas Present for you and your family. Rededicate your home and family to Jesus Christ. Pray for family and friends who need to make room for Jesus, who need to receive God's Christmas present so Jesus can save them from sin and make them God's true children.
9. Be content with whatever card or present you receive, and thank Jesus Christ for each one. If you receive no Christmas presents, thank the Lord anyway, because you have already received Jesus the best and greatest Christmas present of all.
10.Receive Jesus Christ as your Christmas Present from God, so you can become a true child of God. Jesus is waiting on you to invite Him into your life, so He can occupy the room He carved in your heart for Him. A wonderful spiritual experience awaits you... a) Your greatest Christmas miracle is found in receiving Jesus into the room of your heart... John 1:12-13, 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. That is the most important way to make room for Jesus this Christmas. If you don't remember praying the sinner's prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, just
pray, “Lord Jesus, there is room in my life for You. I receive You into my heart as my Christmas
present from Heaven. Forgive me of all my sins and accept me as one of God's children.”
To receive Jesus as God's Christmas gift, pray these words: Heavenly Father, I realize You sent Your Son Jesus Christ as Your best gift to me. Today, I receive Jesus Christ to save me from my sin. Forgive me and accept me as Your child. Thank You for hearing me. From now on I will live for You as You give me the power.