Room in My Heart?

Reading Luke 2 where the angel visited Elizabeth and Mary, I was thinking of the comparison of today. Preparing for Christmas, activities are increased. Our busyness is exhausting. But the beginning was not so. When Zecharias was in the temple serving, the angel announced that his aged wife would bear a child. He didn't believe and became mute until the child was born and named.

Mary, a young virgin, also was visited by Gabriel (same angel that visited Zecharias) was in awe of the angel's presence. She listened, believed and was in awe that she was chosen. When she visited her cousin Elizabeth, the worship service began. Mary sang the ultimate worship song, which is now known as the Magnificant. The baby in Elizabeth's womb also leaped in the womb.

What do you and I do with the call of God on our lives? Do we doubt as Zecharias? Do we humbly accept and believe as Mary? The birth of Jesus was so out of culture. Such an "unbelievable" story! Really, who would ever believe a young girl, virgin, and who says she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit! Absurd! But that is how the Christmas season began. It lasted for nine months.

Through this we have a beautiful worship song, read it in Luke 1:46-55. Mary, a poor virgin, the mother of Jesus, sings the song of worship. The lowest of the low employees, the shepherds—dirty, smelly, taking care of sheep out in the field—get the first birth announcement. Not the queen, or a prince, or even the king received the great news. No one had room for Mary, not the Ritz or any other 5 star hotel. Oh no, just a barn...dirty, smelly, and not even a beautiful nursery with matching furniture, curtains, stuffed animals, a nice rocker to sit and nurse the King of Kings. No just a barn for Baby Jesus.

Sad thing is, nothing has changed until now. We give Jesus the leftovers in our heart. After we have all we want, then Jesus can have what's left. Still today, Jesus chooses the most unlikely characters to do His work. Usually not the most educated, the wealthiest, the most popular. No, He calls those who have a "heart" for Him.

Where are you in this Christmas story? You know the answer.

God bless you