One of the challenges of the Christmas season is that we can become so focused on making Christmas special that we miss God in the ordinary.
We decorate the house, plan the meals, buy the gifts, attend the parties, and try to create meaningful moments with the people we love. There is nothing wrong with any of those things. But sometimes we begin to believe that God is most present in the big moments, the emotional moments, or the moments that feel especially spiritual.
The Christmas story reminds us that God often does His greatest work in ordinary places and through ordinary people. When Jesus was born, there was no palace, no royal celebration, and no impressive setting. Luke tells us that Mary “gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger” (Luke 2:7).
A manger. It is hard to imagine a more ordinary setting for the arrival of the Savior of the world. Yet that is exactly where God chose to come near.
We can spend so much of our lives waiting for something extraordinary that we miss what God is doing right in front of us. We think we will have more time for God when life slows down. We will serve Him when the opportunity is bigger. We will become more intentional with our family when the schedule settles. We will pay closer attention to God when we finally get through this busy season.
But what if God wants to meet you right where you are?
God is present in the drive to work. He is present while you make dinner, sit in the pickup line, answer another email, or have another ordinary conversation with your family. He is at work in interruptions, responsibilities, routines, and relationships that can easily feel insignificant.
The question isn't whether God is present.
The question is whether we are paying attention.
Making room for Jesus doesn't always require adding something else to an already crowded schedule. Sometimes it simply means becoming more aware of Him in the life we are already living.
Before you rush into your day, take a moment to pray, “Jesus, help me notice You today.” When someone interrupts your plans, consider whether that interruption might be an opportunity to love them. When you sit around the dinner table, slow down long enough to thank God for the people around it. When you find yourself doing something you've done a thousand times before, remember that even ordinary moments can become holy when you surrender them to God.
Christmas reminds us that God stepped into our ordinary world and made His home among us. Don't wait for the perfect moment to make room for Jesus. Look for Him in the ordinary. He may already be closer than you realize.
We decorate the house, plan the meals, buy the gifts, attend the parties, and try to create meaningful moments with the people we love. There is nothing wrong with any of those things. But sometimes we begin to believe that God is most present in the big moments, the emotional moments, or the moments that feel especially spiritual.
The Christmas story reminds us that God often does His greatest work in ordinary places and through ordinary people. When Jesus was born, there was no palace, no royal celebration, and no impressive setting. Luke tells us that Mary “gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger” (Luke 2:7).
A manger. It is hard to imagine a more ordinary setting for the arrival of the Savior of the world. Yet that is exactly where God chose to come near.
We can spend so much of our lives waiting for something extraordinary that we miss what God is doing right in front of us. We think we will have more time for God when life slows down. We will serve Him when the opportunity is bigger. We will become more intentional with our family when the schedule settles. We will pay closer attention to God when we finally get through this busy season.
But what if God wants to meet you right where you are?
God is present in the drive to work. He is present while you make dinner, sit in the pickup line, answer another email, or have another ordinary conversation with your family. He is at work in interruptions, responsibilities, routines, and relationships that can easily feel insignificant.
The question isn't whether God is present.
The question is whether we are paying attention.
Making room for Jesus doesn't always require adding something else to an already crowded schedule. Sometimes it simply means becoming more aware of Him in the life we are already living.
Before you rush into your day, take a moment to pray, “Jesus, help me notice You today.” When someone interrupts your plans, consider whether that interruption might be an opportunity to love them. When you sit around the dinner table, slow down long enough to thank God for the people around it. When you find yourself doing something you've done a thousand times before, remember that even ordinary moments can become holy when you surrender them to God.
Christmas reminds us that God stepped into our ordinary world and made His home among us. Don't wait for the perfect moment to make room for Jesus. Look for Him in the ordinary. He may already be closer than you realize.
Posted in Make Room