It won’t be long before my husband puts up his Christmas village. While I always enjoy the beauty of the display, in order to have a place for the village, the clutter needs to be cleared off the cabinet first. The same may be true of our lives. Before we can enjoy the beauty of Christ living in us, we might need to clear the clutter to make room for Jesus.
Each year as I de-clutter and make room for the village, I think of the night Jesus was born. Bethlehem was cluttered. It was full of people.
There was no room for one more person. Because there was no room, Joseph and Mary took refuge in a stable among the livestock.
Their firstborn child, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, was born in a feeding trough.
There was no room the night Immanuel, God with us, was born.
And what about today? Jesus lives in the lives of those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers. But have we cleared the clutter to make room for him to work in and through us?
Is there room in our schedules to meet the needs of others? Do we clear the clutter to make room in our day to give encouragement through a call, email, text, or note? To volunteer? To lend a hand or listening ear?
Have we cleared the clutter to make room to read the Bible, meditate on it, listen to what it says to us, and act on it? Is there room in our budgets for ministries and missions?
Do we clear the clutter to make room in our hearts for Jesus to come in and live? Are our lives lived in such a way that others can see evidence of Christ’s Spirit living in us? You know, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.
When others look at us, do they see Christ living in us?
As we prepare for Christmas and all the busyness it entails, let’s remember to clear the clutter from our lives to make room for Jesus. Immanuel. Christ living in us. Not just at this special time of year, but all year long.
I wish you well.
Sandy