He could not have been busier. Bethlehem was bulging at the seams, under the weight of all the extra people in town for the census. He loved it when the inn was full and noisy and vibrant with chatter. People. He was definitely a people person. He did his very best for his customers – he cared about their opinions and their needs, and of course, his reputation.
It had been a bit unusual, but at the time, he had thought nothing of it. He had been in a rush as usual. He had put them in the outhouse where he stabled the donkey and the goats – what else could he have done? At least it was dry there and fairly private. From the looks on their faces, it seemed that their baby was on its way.
Oh God – when have I relegated you to an outer room? I know that I sometimes leave you on the sidelines, while I busy myself with seemingly ‘more important things’, juggling one distraction with another as they vie for my attention and time. Forgive me when I fail to remember that you alone ground me, you define me, you sustain me. Not the other stuff.
Quietly, tucked out of the way on the edge and in the margin, Jesus slipped into our world 2000 years ago. Now, in this year marked by war and uncertainty, by rising prices and environmental challenges, as again we celebrate God with us may we not fail to see that His resurrected presence woos us and beckons us into a refuge of intimacy and revelation. The God child – the only rock in a world framed by instability and chaos.
Is there really no room for more of Him in my little life? Or is it that there is no more room for Him at all?
I allow these thoughts to tumble over themselves in my mind.
Have I dismissed the whisperings of something more, something bigger, and beyond? Am I too content with the little that I’m familiar with? …the crumbs under the table, when He has laid before me a feast.
As in that most famous of all birth stories, God today continues to hide himself in plain sight, waiting, longing even to be sought and found. ‘Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you’. Perhaps we have drawn as close as we can bear, but then, again perhaps we have not…
Let’s determine to move over, make some space and place more importance on coming in closer to the Saviour – taking time to listen, to watch, to be awed, to be reminded. Not rushing away.
I will make room. I must make room.
https://godspacelight.com/event/following-the-star-into-the-new-year/
In January we celebrate Epiphany and the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus. Like them, many of us feel we are on a long journey following a star that is sometimes bright and shining, sometimes completely hidden yet still guiding us towards Christ. 2022 taught us important lessons that will shape the coming year. We sense God wants to do something new in our lives and we want to follow in the right direction.
Join Lilly Lewin and Christine Sine online Saturday, January 7th 2023 from 9:30 am PT to 12:30pm PT as they help us reflect on the past year and take time to hope, dream and pray for the year ahead. We will engage in some fun practices like chalking the door and interact with each other in ways that strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God.