Daily devotional, Dec 20, 2023 The Living Room
"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-20
If there is any room that is all decked up during Christmas, it is the living room. Holiday decors and Christmas colors dominate the whole home, and take center-stage at the area where we rest, converge with the family, and entertain guests.
One of the main facets of the Christmas story is when Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were trying to find a room to stay and give birth to Baby Jesus. We all know what happened next, but unfortunately, until now, many of us have yet to imbibe and live out the lessons of this story. The truth is, Jesus has yet to find room in our respective hearts.
"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own peopledid not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,"
John 1:10-12
How many times has Jesus knocked on our hearts to remind us to worship Him and only Him? To the contrary, we not only forego prayer time and bible study, we sometimes even prioritize leisure over church time during Sundays.
How many times should we hear Mama Mary’s the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) before we decide to magnify the Lord and not our problems? To allow His will to be done in our lives instead of living our life on our own volition?
How many times do we have to hear the story about St. Joseph’s obedience to the will of God before we totally decide to uphold the Lord’s command to love one another?
Likewise, how many times have we closed our doors on others who needed our help? When we refused to give our time, talent and treasure because we are too selfish and too busy pursuing worldly goals?
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"
(Matthew 25:44-45)
If the Holy Family will come knocking on your door, what room will you offer in your home? Will you send them away just like the inn keepers? Will you offer them your guest room — a temporary space in your life? Or will you allow them to stay in your living room and permanently live in their presence all your life?
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
This Christmas season, let us not just deck our living areas and rooms with signs of merriment and cheer. We too should embellish our hearts with the same grace and mercy our Creator has extended to us. By doing this we can give ourselves and each other the room to make mistakes and room for growth. When we accept that all of us can never be perfect, we can start improving our character and encourage each other to grow in Christ-likeness.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Ephesians 3:14-21 and Revelation 3:14-22 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you have room for Jesus in your heart?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for seeking me out. For knocking on my door, and for loving me in spite of my failures and mistakes. Teach me to open my heart not just to you, but to others whom you command me to love. I want to follow your will my Lord, so that I can live under your reign all the days of my life. Amen.
