Making Room for the Nativity

I woke up this morning and decided to turn on the morning news. Of course Christmas time is upon us, and you know what that means: somebody has been offended at a Nativity scene. You would think the usual topics at Christmas time would only include stories of generosity, giving, and family, but, no, people get upset at a Nativity in someone else's yard. Anger and resentment began to enter my heart, but then I began to realize: someone being offended at a nativity scene in someone's yard is greatly illustrated by a Bible character who we know as the Innkeeper of Bethlehem.

We only find him mentioned in Luke 2:7 "And she (Mary) brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN." Wait, what does that have to do with a nativity scene in someone's yard, you might ask? You see, just like the innkeeper had NO ROOM in his inn, people who are offended at these scenes are not upset because of the scene, but because they have no room for Jesus in their hearts.

May this not allow us, as Christians, to get angry and see them as an enemy to be defeated. But may we instead see them as the lost to be won to Christ. May our hearts, this Christmas season, be full of love and grace towards those who become cynical of our nativity scenes and our worship of Christ. For only these will encourage them as they Make Room for the Nativity...not in their yards, but in their hearts!