We are almost to that wonderful event of the year, as we rest on the crest of Christmas, on this Eve of Christmas Day! The traditions of Christmas are many and diverse throughout our world. The festive decorations, foods, and music from all different cultures and nations make this special day an activity like no other. Leading up to our Christmas celebrations there is usually a great amount of planning, preparation, and work, that people spend hours upon hours on getting ready for their different family gatherings and social get-togethers.
And sad to say, so often people become so consumed with the business of getting ready for Christmas, they actually miss out on experiencing the real reason for celebrating the season. Yes, the hecticness and consumerism of the season can overwhelm us and fill our hearts and minds with so much “Holiday” stuff, we don’t have room for the baby Jesus, the newborn King, to have a place to rest.
There is a song, I remember from years gone by, that caught my attention recently, and I think it fits well with this devotion. It is by, Emily E. Elliott, and it is called, “There Is Room in My Heart for Thee”:
1. Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
Refrain 1-4:
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
2. Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
3. The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
4. Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
5. When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
Refrain 5:
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me.
My prayer for each of you is this: No matter how busy, chaotic, and consumed, with worldly stuff, your life gets, may there always be room in your heart for the Christ-child, the Savior born in the flesh, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, Jesus. A blessed Christmas Eve to all!
Pastor McCarty
