Have you ever been surprised by an unanticipated visitor at your door? Let’s be honest: even if it’s a friend, we may find ourselves dashing around, tidying bits and pieces and checking our hair in the mirror before we open the door!
This Christmas, I expect many of us will spend time cleaning and decorating our homes in readiness for guests. Hospitality is a beautiful thing. Yet it is interesting that the Son of God was not born in a state-of-the-art birthing facility, but in a stable. Subject to political circumstances, Mary and Joseph were traveling on a budget and unable to find a more hospitable location for the delivery. The first people to arrive on the scene were not religious leaders or dignitaries but shepherds – who had their own lowly reputation!
They shall call His name Immanuel, which means “God with us”
Through the life story of His Son Jesus, our Father God has done an excellent job of expressing to us that He does not require an immaculate home upon arrival. In fact, He knows we could never clean the house without Him! His desire is simply to dwell with us – no stipulations, no conditions, other than this: Let Me in. Trust Me. Let’s do this together.
No matter the state of your heart this Christmas, I encourage you, take the time to welcome Jesus in. Talk to Him about your joys, your challenges, your highs and your lows. He didn’t mind a smelly stable, and He certainly doesn’t mind our messy lives. He wants to be right in the middle of it: God with us.