Make Room

Every Christmas, one verse rises above the noise of the season:

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.” — Isaiah 7:14

Emmanuel means “God with us.”
Not God over us.
Not God around us.
But God with us.
That’s the core of Christmas. Not perfect family photos. Not a mountain of presents. Not magical moments that last 15 minutes before the wrapping paper is bagged up and the kids are already asking for the next thing.
Christmas is this:

God is madly in love with you, and He wants to be with you.

If you feel lonely, forgotten, or overwhelmed this season, hear this: God is with you.

The Innkeeper’s Missed Moment
Luke’s Gospel tells us that when Mary was ready to give birth, there was no room for them in the inn.
Someone had the chance to make room for Jesus… and didn’t.
That innkeeper could have had his place marked for history. Instead, he turned away the Savior of the world and never knew what he forfeited.
And that’s where it gets real for us.
We’re not innkeepers, but we do have:

• Packed calendars
• Long to-do lists
• Constant noise and distraction

So when God gently knocks on the door of our hearts, how often do we respond with:

• “There’s no room today.”
• “I’m too busy.”
• “Maybe later.”

What miracles are we forfeiting because we refuse to make room for God?

God’s Heart: Not Visitation, but Habitation
From the very beginning in Genesis, God’s desire has been clear: He wants to be with His people.

• He walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day.
• After sin, He had Israel build a tabernacle — a tent of meeting — so His presence could still travel with them.
• Later, He sent Jesus — Emmanuel — not to stay distant, but to live among us, die for us, and make a way to live in us by His Spirit.

God is not content with weekend visitation rights.
He didn’t send His Son, conquer sin, death, and hell just so He could get:

• An hour and fifteen minutes on Sundays
• A quick prayer when we’re in crisis

He wants habitation — daily life together:

• Conversations in the car
• Whispered prayers in the kitchen
• Honest emotions brought to Him in the middle of the mess

That’s what “God with us” is about.

Shepherds, Wise Men, and the Kind of People God Draws Near
When Jesus was born, God didn’t announce it first to kings or high priests. He sent angels to shepherds — people considered nobodies in that culture.
And what did they do?

• They praised God.
• They told others what they’d seen.

God still loves that kind of heart. You may not have platform or position, but if you’re a praiser and a teller, He delights to be with you.
Then there were the wise men.
They were educated, thoughtful, and spiritually aware. God didn’t send angels to them—He gave them a star and let their hunger lead them.
They:

• Traveled far
• Risked much
• Brought costly gifts

Why? Because they expected to encounter the Messiah when they arrived.

What you truly expect from God will shape how you pursue Him.

Casual seeking rarely leads to deep encounters. The wise men remind us: sometimes God invites us to get up and follow.

Joseph: The Price of Saying “Yes”
Joseph had plans: marriage, work, a future he thought he understood. Then came Mary’s pregnancy and an angelic dream that changed everything.
He could have walked away, protected his reputation, and kept his life simple.
Instead, he chose obedience. Scripture says he did exactly what the angel commanded.
He paid a price:

• People would talk.
• Many wouldn’t believe their story.
• His life wouldn’t look “normal.”

But in saying yes to God, he stepped into a story far bigger than his own.

Following Jesus will cost you something, but what you gain is worth more than anything you give up.

So, Is There Room for Emmanuel?
This Christmas, between:

• Shopping and parties
• School events and church programs
• Family plans and stress

Ask yourself:

Is there room for Emmanuel—God with us—in my actual life?

If God:

• Nudges you to pray
• Invites you to slow down
• Brings someone to mind to love or forgive
• Draws your heart to worship

Will you answer, or will you say, “There’s no room”?
You don’t have to do something dramatic. You can start small:

• Clear a few quiet minutes each day just to talk to Him.
• Turn off the noise and invite Him into your thoughts and emotions.
• Re-center your heart: “Jesus, You are with me. I make room for You. 

A Simple Prayer for This Season

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming as Emmanuel — God with us.
Forgive me for crowding You out with busyness, worry, and distraction.
This Christmas, I choose to make room for You.
Teach me to walk with You, talk with You, and live aware of Your presence.
I give You my first “yes” again.
Be with me, in me, and through me.
In Your name, Jesus, amen.

No matter what this season looks like for you—messy, loud, painful, joyful, or somewhere in between—remember:

You are not walking through it alone.
He is Emmanuel. God is with you.