NO VACANCY
Luke 2:7 (NIV)
7 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.
John 14:2-3 (NIV)
2 In 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. 3 And 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.
Good morning!
Every year, Jeff and I try to find a few days to sneak away for a mini-vacation. Juggling school and work makes it difficult to find a suitable time to be away. There are times when we find ourselves traveling spur-of-the-moment, not having made hotel reservations in advance. Occasionally, and especially when we are traveling in inclement weather, we may choose to exit at the nearest town and begin to search for a place to stay, rather than travel on in the dark. There is nothing more agonizing than seeking out a hotel room on a cold, rainy night, only to see the red “NO VACANCY” sign lighting up the night sky.
The flashing marquee single-handedly pulls the welcome mat right out from under your feet. “There is no room for you; be on your way,” it screams at the road-weary traveler. One knows better than to stop and inquire, for it is a total waste of time. The hotel has been booked solid for weeks, and there is no room for you. Tired and anxious, we continue on in the dark, hoping to find a safe and warm place to stay just a few miles down the road.
On the night of Jesus’ birth, there were no vacancies in the tiny town of Bethlehem. People had traveled many miles to be counted in a census, as required by the Roman authorities. It was impossible to call ahead for a room reservation. Mary and Joseph found themselves with a true emergency; no one seemed to care to help them. A King was coming; yet no one made room for His arrival. The innkeeper, along with every other family in town, was too preoccupied with their own needs to extend a helping hand to Mary and Joseph. While many residents of this sleepy little town slept soundly in their beds, the Savior of the world was born that night in a cold and stinky cattle stall.
Jesus understood the importance of having a safe place to stay. He assured His disciples that in His Father’s house, there are many rooms, and He was going there to prepare a special place just for them. Isn’t it comforting to know that the Lord of life has planned and prepared a place just for you? Isn’t it amazing that Jesus Christ would go to prepare a special place just for us, when we could have cared less about Him?
Today is Christmas Eve – the long-awaited time of celebration has arrived! We gather together in worship and praise, celebrating the birthday of our infant King. Will Jesus find a “no vacancy” sign hanging around your neck when He arrives? Have you made space in your heart for His imminent return? Open up your heart today and ask the Lord to come inside and stay. He will fill your life with tender mercy and forgiveness, guiding you safely home to Him. Have you room in your life for the arrival of the Christ child?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: Jesus to live in you. He is waiting for an invitation to come inside and stay. Come home to Jesus for Christmas. I’ll see you at church!
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© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
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