Life is filled with many demands that unintentionally leave no room for the most important. And while this neglect is not purposeful, it’s costly all the same. But the good news is that we can make room for Jesus through small gestures easy to overlook otherwise.
Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room left in the inn. This was during the time of a census, and so this was not a personal rejection of Jesus and his parents. But his advent was missed all the same where there was no room to receive him. And the same is true for us still today. We must make room to receive him.
But this room remains through lowly mangers and not grand gestures or fanfare. We make room for Jesus as we care for the least of those among us. Perhaps this is as we graciously allow our kid to interrupt our work to show us his latest masterpiece. Or it might also happen as we learn to patiently accept the frustrating quirks of our wife, or as we choose to give others the benefit of the doubt rather than being quick to take offense.
Whatever it looks like, in the moment, it might seem small and insignificant. But Jesus does not demand pomp and circumstance to enter in, only that room is made for him. And often this is simply noticing those small ways to love those already right in front of us – feeding, clothing, visiting, and offering our very presence to those in need.
In the end, make room for Jesus by offering your lowly manger – not through grand displays of affection, but through caring for the least among you in gestures easily overlooked.
