Influencers Weekly Devotional

Do You Have Room for The Christmas Spirit?

By Bryan Craig

“She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6b

Brothers, Christmas is only a few days away. For some of you, that statement creates a sense of panic, as you think of all the things you will be scrambling to complete before the Holidays and consider what in the world you will get for your wife. For some of you, Christmas is a painful reminder of loved ones who won’t be at your Christmas gathering and for others, Christmas is just an end to a seemingly awful year. I know some men who just don’t really like Christmas, in general. If this note doesn’t find you in the Christmas spirit, let me encourage you. “Christmas” literally means, “Christ’s Mass”. It is a celebration of Christ. It is not the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, it is not Frosty the Snowman, it is not trees and lights and cookies and cider. Those things are nice, and those things work their way into our Christmas celebration, but they are not Christ. It is interesting how something as simple as celebrating Christ can evolve into such a worldly expression that when December 26th arrives, we feel further from Christ than when we began the season. That’s because “the world and its desires pass away.” Nothing on this earth can satisfy us like Christ. Isn’t it amazing that when the Savior of the world arrived, no one would receive Him? I wonder if the innkeeper really had a full house. Or was it the middle of the night, and so, he didn’t answer the knock on the door by Mary and Joseph? Or did he see this very pregnant woman about to give birth and start thinking about the possible liability if a baby was born on the premises? Or was he too busy counting his money or lamenting a poor year’s profits? If he really knew Who this baby was, would he have found room? Maybe he would have given up his own room? We actually replay this drama every year at Christmastime. Amidst all of the busyness of life, Christ comes. He comes in an unexpected way, at an unexpected time. He beckons us to let Him in. Do we have room? Maybe you’re just not feeling it this year. Maybe you’re stuck inside “the Inn” of your life, with the door locked. If Christ came to the door, you wouldn’t recognize Him. You would send Him on His way down the road. This is not a Christmas problem. This is a heart issue. You see, if you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, He is not only in your Inn, He is in you. He is truly “Emmanuel-God with us.” Jesus sent His Spirit to dwell with us forever, the Spirit of Truth. Yes, His Spirit is with us and in us. He is completing the work of Christ in our lives and in the world. When you hear someone, even a non-believer, talk about “Christmas Spirit”, guess what? They are talking about the Holy Spirit! Yes, when the world sees the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) at Christmastime, they claim that someone has the Christmas Spirit. In an amazing way, God opens all eyes to see His Spirit during the celebration of Christ’s birth more than any other time. We have a responsibility to let His light shine through us so that others may find Him, especially at Christmastime. Jesus is here! Unlock your door and go find Him. You won’t find him in a Christmas party or in a Christmas movie. Go to a simple, quiet place and get still. Wait on Him with worshipful anticipation. As you turn your heart toward Him, you will find that the Christmas Spirit has been there all along. Like the birth of the Savior, you will discover the birth of new life within you. You will find Christmas. Then, like the shepherds who found the newborn King, you will praise God and tell everyone you know what you have discovered. Isn’t this really the heart of The Journey? Abide in Him, and you will bear fruit. Worship Him and Celebrate Him at Christmas, and you will know how to “keep Christmas” in your heart. As Ebenezer Scrooge discovered after the Spirit changed his heart for good in just one night, it’s not too late. Merry Christmas and God Bless Us, Everyone!