Open Hearts Find Room For Jesus

The slammed door echoed into the hallway and shocked the kitchen.  Probably every teenager has managed a few. Ours did. And, although door slams were outlawed, the ugly secret was that I wished desperately to go into my own bedroom and slam its door with the same adolescent drama.

I let out a sigh, and heaved myself up. The silent hallway led me to her door, where I held my breath and bolstered my courage before the wooden blockade.

There time melted.

Once upon a time, I was the one inside stealthily trying to make it outside. I remember my cautious, slow turn from where she lay sleeping in her crib and my tip-toed escape, like a mouse. How quietly I’d reach for the door knob, squeeze through an open sliver into the hallway, then inch it shut again. And finally, into the dim silent hall I’d breathe the air of success.

Through our lives, we all have opened and closed doors. With loud emphasis or soft sweetness. To children. To friends. To parents and siblings.   

And sometimes to Jesus.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7 KJV)

It was a busy time in Bethlehem. Drawn by Caesar Augustus’ census, Mary, nine months pregnant, traveled with Joseph some 80 miles to be counted with the others. Tired, from a long car-less uncomfortable journey, Mary undoubtedly felt what every mother feels who is about to deliver. 

Yet, God ordained each step they took.

And surely Joseph, as he searched for a place for them to overnight, felt the pressure of it all. A child, not just any child, but God’s Son, moved within His virgin wife, wanting to be born.

The promised time had come, and the little insignificant town buzzed with people. So many in fact, that no door swung wide open with warmth and hospitality for a worried husband and his great-with-child wife. No welcoming  figure waved them inside.

There simply was no room in the inn.

Closed doors began early for Jesus during His life on earth. And today, we too have so many excuses to keep Him on one side while we ignore or even bar the door against Him on the other side.   

“This room I’ll open. Not that one.”

“This far and no farther.”

“That room is inconvenient. I’ll place Him where He can do less damage to my own desires. ” Closed doors began early for Jesus during His life on earth. Share on X

We hide both shame and treasure behind closed doors, and often they blend into one. In reality, no burden is too heavy nor sin too great for His entrance. Midnight ER runs, screaming toddlers, or wrinkled gray years, can’t shut Him out. No hotel manager, no army or fortress can bar the door.

He opens the humblest shanty, palaces of kings, and even walks through locked doors.

In fact, later as he spoke to those who wanted to condemn Him, He made an astounding claim.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9 ESV)

Yet, The Powerful Most High Son of God waits to be invited into the doors of our heart’s home.

Despite no room in the inn, a baby lying in a manger-throne brought shepherds and angels to their knees.

Simeon, held the newborn in his arms, declaring the arrival of the Lord’s salvation and Anna, an elderly widow in the temple, praised God. She recognized the long awaited redemption had come in baby flesh.

Wealthy, prominent men from far lands led by a star gave gifts and knelt before HIm.

Open hearts found room for Him.

When we open wide the door to every hidden nook and cranny of our lives, His light pours into each room. And His message of grace reflects outward. It spills over those around us. It calls to others.

In the story’s familiar sweetness we might overlook the profound implication for us today. Christmas nudges us to consider the occupants of our hearts.

Are we door slammers, like a closeted angry teenager, against His beckoning knock or perhaps we hide behind closed doors with the one treasure we hug tight? The very one He invites us to lay at His feet?

Are all the doors open wide with welcoming embrace?

Is there room this Christmas time in the inn of your heart for Jesus?

*Feature Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash