It is the time of year that is most likely the actual birthdate of Jesus. I know everyone thinks of December 25 as the birthdate; but with proper examination of the scripture, and a little historical mathematics, it is easy to determine that December could not have been the time. Mid-August to mid-September is the more accurate birthdate. Most of the details of the birth of Jesus shown in pictures, told in stories, and acted out in plays and skits, are fabricated.  The story has been embellished, but one fact is clear. No one had room for Jesus.

This has been true ever since. John said that Jesus was in the world, but the world did not know Him. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11 ESV). They simply had no room for Him.

Many individuals have no room for Jesus today. Some churches have no room for Him. What about you and me? Have we made room for Christ in our lives?

The story is told of a young man who had just finished college. A friend asked him what he planned to do. He said he was entering a profession. What then, the friend asked. His response was that he would like to marry and have a family. The friend replied, what then? The young man’s answer was that he would probably work as long as he could and then retire. The friend asked, what then? The young man said that he wanted to enjoy retirement, and the friend again asked, what then? I guess I’ll die, was the reply. The friend asked again, what then? The young man had left the Lord completely out of his plans. He had given no thought for what was ahead for him when he left this physical world.

Jesus told a story about a man like the young man in our story. He was a rich land owner. His crops were plentiful. He had so much that he had no place to store them. He didn’t hesitate about what to do. He said, “I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry’” (Luke 12:18-19). God observed this foolish man. He saw his selfishness and his lack of concern for those in need, and that night his soul was required. All of his wealth was left for someone else to enjoy, because he had no room for Jesus.

Another wealthy young man approached the Lord and wanted to know what to do to inherit eternal life. He had kept every commandment, but he lacked one thing. His wealth stood in his way of being perfect. When Jesus told him to go and sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him, the young man turned and walked away. There is something interesting in this story. Jesus did not go after this young man. He let him go. He told him the price of a home in heaven, but the young man was not willing to pay the price. Jesus was sad, but He let him leave. He knew that the young man thought the requirement was too great. He had no room for Jesus.

Many homes have no room for Jesus. Someone may say, “We have daily devotionals in our home” or “We read our Bible every day.” These are good things to do, but these are not sufficient to show obedience to the commands set forth by God. God gave some instructions to Moses for the protection of the family that should apply to us today as well. “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). Children need to be taught at every opportunity, day after day, year after year. We need to use every opportunity to instill not only the commands but also the attitudes concerning our treatment of others and teach God’s instructions for worship. Sadly, families are too busy with baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, and a multitude of other activities they consider more important than teaching the Bible. They have no room for Jesus.

Some churches have no room for Jesus. Listen to the words John relayed to the church at Laodicea. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus was on the outside looking in. He was pleading with His people to let Him in. The church at Laodicea was lukewarm. They were neither cold nor hot, and their attitude made Him sick. He begged them to repent, but they were more concerned about doing their own will. They had no room for Jesus.

Many individuals have no room for Jesus. Many on Pentecost rejected Him. Felix told Paul that when he had a more convenient season, he would call for him (Acts 24:25). King Agrippa told Paul he was almost persuaded to be a Christian (Acts 26:28).

We need to find room for Jesus in our individual lives, in our homes, and in the church. Then we can say as Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (Second Timothy 4:7-8).

Sandra Oliver