Written and performed by Becky Shields at Faith Family Church's Christmas service.

It was a dark night. Shepherds tended their sheep in distant pastures. Stars shone brightly in the black sky. A breeze rustled the treetops and brought a slight chill into the evening air. A mandatory census had been ordered by Caesar Augustus and, as a result, travelers from all over the Roman Empire had been flooding for days into the small town called Bethlehem.

The journey over grueling mountainous terrain would have been difficult for even the heartiest of travelers, but for one couple in particular the journey was even more taxing. The young girl, in the final days of her pregnancy, felt every stone under her swollen feet. Her back ached from sleeping on the hard ground for nights upon end. She craved the softness of a feather mattress, the solitude of a private room, a hot meal, and rest. As the couple caught their first glimpse of Bethlehem on the horizon, the girl experienced her first pang of labor. “Don’t worry,” her husband assured her. “We’re almost there. I’ll find a room, someone to help us.”

The man rushed to the Inn where he had been told he would find lodging but almost immediately, his hopes were dashed. There was no room. Every bed, every square inch of floor was already claimed. It didn’t matter that his wife was ready to deliver her first child, there was simply no place for them in the inn. Taking pity on the young couple, the Innkeeper directed them to a small cave where his animals were kept. It wouldn’t be luxurious, it wouldn’t even be particularly comfortable, but it would be private, and they would be protected from the elements.

The couple, grateful for a place to go, made camp in the cave and, later that night, the young girl gave birth to their first son. They named the child Jesus as they had been instructed by an angel. That night, the Savior of the World slept in an animal’s feeding trough--because there was no place for him anywhere else.

What if the Innkeeper had known who he was turning away? If he had understood that the long-awaited Messiah was about to arrive in Bethlehem, would he have reserved a room? Would he have prepared clean sheets, hot water, a meal for the baby’s parents? Would he have found a way to make space for the one whose sole purpose for being born was to save him? Or would he have been so caught up in the busyness of life, the hustle and bustle of the crowds, the noise and mess and distraction that came along with the influx of travelers that it wouldn’t have mattered?

Over two-thousand years later, the birth of that same child is celebrated all over the world. For many people, the festivities begin early. Shopping malls hop with people eager to purchase gifts for loved ones and friends. Cookies are baked, concerts and plays are performed, trees are decorated, cards are sent, homes are flocked with lights and wreaths, parties are planned, the list goes on and on. The world appears ready to celebrate this Savior.

But are we really? Or are we all so busy with the trappings of the holiday that we forget about the reason for our celebration? Are we preparing room for the Savior in our hearts and lives, or are we running ourselves ragged in our attempts to create a “perfect” day?

Are we preparing room for the Savior in our hearts and lives, or are we running ourselves ragged in our attempts to create a “perfect” day?

We sing, “Let every heart prepare him room,” but do we really mean it? Perhaps we want to, but deep down we believe that the room in our heart isn’t worthy of The King of Kings. It’s too messy, too angry, too broken, too filthy. Friends, may I remind you again that Jesus was born amongst the filth of animals? Your mess, your anger, your brokenness, they aren’t too much for him. In fact, without them, you would have no need of Him. Jesus longs to be invited into the filthy mangers of our lives and through his steadfast grace and mercy, he restores our joy and our peace.

This Christmas, are you preparing for a party in which you have forgotten to invite the guest of honor? Or are you purposefully and intentionally placing your focus where it belongs, on the One who truly is the reason for our celebration? John 14:2 tells us that Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us. Will we do the same for him this Christmas?