(photo provided by Cole Johnson)

 

By Marti Kastner

 

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

I’ve been very convicted this past week.

My hopes for this Christmas season have not panned out. At least, not according to my expectations. I have aimed for “peaceful” and have managed instead to hit the bulls-eye “busy” dead center.

Not hair-raising busy, but just enough to make it nearly impossible to sit down in the evenings and do Advent or watch “Elf.” But here’s the message I’m getting loud and clear this season:

These inconvenient errands or house guests or get-togethers or family members are actually unexpected opportunities.

It makes me think about the inn keeper in the Bible. I kinda wish he could get a second chance. I wish I could go back and whisper to him, “Hey, heads-up. That baby about to be born is Jesus. Make some room, already!”

But I can’t. And that’s obviously the way God wanted it all to go down.

And just like He always does, God gives us His Word so we can learn. So hopefully we won’t repeat the same mistakes others have made. I think He was reminding me this week not to be like the inn keeper. I need to “make some room, already” in my own busy life and in my expectations. Make room for the unexpected–those chance encounters that often disguise themselves as inconveniences, when in reality, they might just turn out to be the biggest blessings of Christmas. 

Each day God’s knocking on the inn of our hearts. Are we going to let Him in and make some room, already?

I hope so. I don’t want to miss anything.

Merry Christmas from your fellow inn keeper,

Marti