Making Room at Christmas

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Have you ever wondered why the birth of Jesus is such a pivotal moment in history? This message explores the profound humility and intentionality behind Jesus’ arrival, challenging us to make room in our hearts for His presence. Discover how the light of Christ can illuminate your life in unexpected ways.

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Making Room at Christmas

Message Summary
Have you ever wondered why the birth of Jesus is such a pivotal moment in history? This message explores the profound humility and intentionality behind Jesus’ arrival, challenging us to make room in our hearts for His presence. Discover how the light of Christ can illuminate your life in unexpected ways.
Key Scripture
While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke 2:6-14 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1

Luke 2:6–7 (NLT)

While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

In the simple setting of a manger, the Son of God entered our world. The humble birth of Jesus reflects God’s intentional approach to engage with humanity without pretense. Jesus chose the lowliest place to make His grand entrance, demonstrating that God meets us in our ordinary brokenness and unveils His extraordinary plan through our lives.

Reflect on the significance of God choosing a humble birthplace and how it speaks to your own life. Are there areas where you feel insignificant or overlooked? Take heart in the truth that God sees value where the world sees none, and He’s calling you into His divine purpose.

  • Where is God inviting me to find Him in my ordinary moments?
  • How does the humility of Christ’s birth inspire my current walk with God?
  • Am I acknowledging the divine in my everyday circumstances?

 

  • Pray for discernment to recognize God’s work in unexpected places.
  • Ask for a heart willing to welcome Jesus into every part of your life, even the ordinary or broken areas.

Day 2

Day 2

Luke 2:8–9 (NLT)

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,

Shepherds were the first to receive the glorious announcement of Jesus’s birth. Despite their lowly status, God’s message of peace and joy first reached them. This moment highlights how God’s kingdom turns the world’s expectations upside down, valuing every person regardless of societal status.

Consider how Jesus’s arrival reverses societal norms and invites those on the fringes into the heart of His story. The shepherds’ encounter with divine glory calls us to see God’s delight and purpose in each one of us, regardless of how we view ourselves or are perceived by others.

  • How do I view myself in the grand narrative of God’s work?
  • In what ways does the story of the shepherds shift my understanding of God’s priorities?
  • Who might need to hear today that they are seen and valued by God?

 

  • Pray for a heart that values people as God does, beyond societal hierarchies.
  • Ask God to open your eyes to see His glory in everyday interactions and people.

Day 3

Day 3

Luke 2:10–11 (NLT)

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

The announcement of Jesus’s birth was heralded as “good news that will bring great joy for all people.” This radical declaration of universal joy and salvation underscores God’s desire to reach every individual with His love and mercy. The joy of the gospel is meant to be shared and savored by all, inviting us to participate in His divine joy.

As we reflect on this gospel proclamation, let it remind us of our call to share this joy with others. The message is simple yet profound – that in Jesus, we have a Savior whose love and redemption are for everyone, everywhere.

  • How can I embody the joy of the gospel in my daily life?
  • What barriers prevent me from experiencing or sharing this joy?
  • Who needs to hear the good news of Jesus’s joy and salvation today?

 

  • Pray for opportunities to share the joy of the gospel with others.
  • Ask God to fill you with His joy that fuels your faith and interactions.

Day 4

Day 4

Luke 2:12 (NLT)

And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

The angels offered a sign to the shepherds, drawing them to Jesus with the promise of a savior found in humble circumstances. This sign points to a deeper truth about Jesus’s mission – that He came to meet us where we are and transform our status from lost to redeemed.

Reflecting on this humble sign, we are reminded that God’s signs are often not grandiose, but subtle and profound. He invites us to see Christ’s humble presence in our lives daily and recognize the divine in the seemingly insignificant.

  • Are there subtle signs of God’s presence in my life that I might be missing?
  • How can I attune my heart to God’s cues and guidance?
  • In what ways does the humility of Jesus’s beginnings inform my understanding of His character?

 

  • Pray for sensitivity to God’s subtle guidance and signs in your life.
  • Seek the humility and openness to welcome Jesus into your everyday moments.

Day 5

Day 5

Luke 2:13–14 (NLT)

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,

and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

The heavens erupted in praise declaring “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” This praise encapsulates the dual response of awe and peace that the incarnation of Christ inspires. God’s glory fills the heavens and extends His peace to our hearts and lives.

As we conclude this devotional, reflect on how the glory of God and the peace He offers can coexist in your life. The birth of Christ calls us to worship and invites His peace to transform our hearts amidst life’s chaos.

  • What does God’s glory look like in my life today?
  • How can I cultivate a heart of worship regardless of life’s circumstances?
  • Where do I need God’s peace the most right now?

 

  • Pray for God’s glory to be evident in your day-to-day life.
  • Ask for His peace to reign in your heart and circumstances.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to the message of Jesus’ birth.

Introduction: Briefly summarize the sermon, emphasizing the intentionality and humility of Jesus’ birth and the challenge to make room in our hearts for Him. Highlight how the sermon focused on Jesus as the light of Christmas, illuminating our hearts and lives.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to you that Jesus was born in a humble setting like a manger?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted the contrast between the divine and the ordinary, emphasizing that Jesus was born in a cave, a place fit for sheep, not in a palace. This setting reflects God’s humility and His approachability, inviting us to consider how we perceive and welcome Jesus into our own lives.
  2. How do you relate to the idea of making room for Jesus in your heart?
    • Context: The sermon challenged listeners to consider how closed off they might be to Jesus’ presence, using the metaphor of no lodging being available for Mary and Joseph. Discuss how we can intentionally create space for Jesus in our daily lives and what that might look like practically.
  3. Why do you think the message of Jesus’ birth was first announced to shepherds?
    • Context: The sermon pointed out that shepherds, considered ordinary or even lowly, were the first to hear the good news. This choice underscores God’s love for all people, regardless of status, and His desire to reach everyone. Reflect on how this impacts our understanding of God’s inclusivity and love.
  4. In what ways can we be like the shepherds, sharing the good news of Jesus with others?
    • Context: The shepherds responded to the angelic message by telling everyone what they had seen and heard. Discuss how we can cultivate a sense of urgency and readiness to share our experiences of Jesus’ work in our lives with others.
  5. How can the story of Jesus’ birth bring peace into your current circumstances?
    • Context: The sermon emphasized that peace comes to those with whom God is pleased, and this peace surpasses understanding. Explore how the presence of Jesus can transform our hearts and bring peace, even if our external circumstances remain unchanged.

Closing Activity: Encourage group members to reflect on one practical step they can take this week to make room for Jesus in their hearts. Share these commitments with the group for accountability and prayer support.

Closing Prayer: Conclude with a prayer, asking God to help each person make room for Jesus and to experience His peace and presence in a new and profound way.

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