“And (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
No room: Those sad words describe more than just the inn in Bethlehem. They sadly apply to much of our culture today. I believe there is little or no room for the real reason to celebrate Christmas. I believe a lot of people miss Christmas every year. That sounds silly in America where we drown in a sea of commercialism over Christmas. But do people really make room for the Christ of Christmas? Sadly, I don’t think so. Did you ever stop to think that a lot of people missed Christ the first Christmas as well? Let‘s look at a few people who missed the first Christmas and avoid their mistakes.

1. The Innkeeper – (Luke 2:7). Scripture doesn’t specifically mention him but he is strongly implied. His inn was full and no doubt he was very busy. So busy, that when he was confronted with a young man and his pregnant wife he had to turn them away. Bethlehem was bulging with people who were registering for the census. It was the busiest time of the year. There is no indication that he was hostile toward Joseph and Mary. There is no reason to think that he was unsympathetic toward them. I think this innkeeper was just busy. Too busy. Is there a busier month in our calendar than December? I believe amid all the Christmas activity there are millions who miss the Son of God.
2. Herod – (Matthew 2:1-8). Herod’s story is recounted for us in Matthew 2. He was a pretender. He acted like he wanted to worship Christ but actually he was fearful of the One who was called King of the Jews. The concept of Herod’s supremacy being threatened by another “disturbed” him (note v.3). If Herod was disturbed, it disturbed all of Jerusalem. Herod’s paranoia was legendary. He was so furious that he ordered all the boys two years and under to be killed in Bethlehem and it’s surrounding vicinity (v.16). Herod’s fear that someone else would take his throne was the reason he missed Christmas. There are people like that today. They see Jesus as a threat to their lifestyle, their life and they won’t let someone else be King of their life. These types of people miss Christmas.
3. The Religious Leaders – (Matthew 2:4-6). Herod called in the chief priests and the teachers of the law to find out from them where Christ was born. And they knew. They quoted Micah 5:2. These were the theologians of the day. They had all the facts about Jesus and His birth. But we don’t see them in this passage joining the Magi in worshipping Christ. Why? The only answer I can offer is that this wasn’t their concept of the Messiah. And so it produced indifference in their lives. They had all the facts they just didn’t care. The root of indifference is a life is pride. They didn’t think they needed this Messiah therefore they didn’t want this Messiah. Today, there are many who aren’t opposed to Christ they just ignore Him, they just don’t care. These types of people miss Christmas as well.

So we see several who miss Christmas: the busy, the fearful, and the prideful. John 1:11 defines another type who miss Christmas, “He (Jesus) came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him”. These are the people who say to Christ, “No room”.

Let’s take to heart the phrase from the classic carol, “let every heart prepare Him room”. It will bring joy to our souls and we won’t miss Christmas. Will you make room for Christ in you heart today?