“And she 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.”

Luke 2:7 KJV

Our lives are full. Full of activities, full with work commitments, full of dreams and wishes, full of political concerns, full of social concerns, full of responsibilities and chores and the list goes on and on. From the moment we open our eyes we are fully engaged.

Our agendas are jam-packed, especially this time of the year. Organising, planning, shopping, we have deadlines to meet. Will we be able to get it all done on time in time? I hear people saying: “I ain’t got time for nothing else or anything more.”

Wow! What have we allowed to happen to ourselves? Where has the hope, peace, joy and love of our Christmas gone?

I dare reveal that it’s covered over in schedules and activities that were intended to help our focus and instead have become our focus.

The above scripture offers to us a reminder that God’s plan still unfolds during times when there seems to be no ideal room available.

The community may be flooded with fulfilling their civic duties. All the lodging spots may have no vacancy, not even a friendly family member or friend would offer to you the comfort of their home. Everything is full: “NO ROOM!”

Be comforted, beloved, that for God, any offer will do. Yes, any space as insignificant as you may think will be accepted. Remember, God used a barn and created a sanctuary. God took strips of cloth and repurposed it for a royal blanket. God took an animal feeding trough and place into it the Bread of Life that would save humanity from their sins.

Beloved, as we continue in all that we do during this festive season, make some room, ANY room for Jesus, the Christ. Know that with him comes hope, peace, joy and love all the really important elements that make our celebrations meaningful.

Continual blessings,

The Rev. Howard HL Dill, Presiding Elder, East-West District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bermuda