Meant for Me, Part 1: The Innkeeper — Making Room

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

In the Christmas story:

Mary made room for a miracle baby
Joseph made room for discomfort
Shepherds made room for a new message
Wise men made room for worship
The Innkeeper…did not. Or did he?

Luke 2:4–7
⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

We’re all the innkeeper, trying to figure out if we have room for Jesus. 

for Jesus?

I will make room…

In my
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

In my
…and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

In my
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

In my
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

In my
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

In my
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
         “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:41-45

In my
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.”
Isaiah 30:15

A Spiritual Practice: The Prayer of Examen

Ask yourself: When did I feel closest to God today?
When did I feel the farthest from him?

Ask God: God, where am I leaving you out of my life? How do I make room for you there?

Small Group Questions

Read Luke 2 as a reflection before you begin to respond. Read it slowly, soaking in the details.

1. What’s your favorite part of the Christmas season? Least favorite?
2. What word would use to you describe your life in the month of December (frantic, reflective, quiet, subdued, joyful, exhausting, etc.)? What would need to happen in your life to change the word to “peaceful”?
3. From the Prayer of Examen: When did I feel closest to God today?
4. From the Prayer of Examen: When did I feel the farthest from him?
5. Personal Reflection: God, where am I leaving you out of my life? How do I make room for you there?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?