Prepare Him Room

Joy to the world! the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;

let ev’ry heart prepare Him room . . .

(from the familiar Christmas carol, Joy to the World).

In this season of Christmas, who is your heart preparing room for? Some recent headlines featured in The Birmingham News -- "Another Day, another shooting and no solutions; Boy, 12, shot on Birmingham playground by 13 year old after jokes exchanged; 2 women die in early morning Calhoun County fire; 'I live on Facebook,' says Alabama man who threatened to 'blow up' high school; Man shot by woman on Thanksgiving Day now identified; 3 men indicted in Montgomery sex trafficking ring; Gadsden couple reports armed robbery, $3,200 taken."

Given all the darkness in the world, in our families and personal lives, can you agree that we need to prepare room for The Light of the World. Who is that, you may be thinking? Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Tonight, go into a dark room with an unlit candle and matches, or with a flashlight or penlight, or with your cell phone darkened.  Quietly, begin to think about the dark places in your life this Christmas --  i.e., your disappointments, hurts, fears, frustrations, lack, sickness, disease, loneliness, unemployment, etc.  Turn on the light and see the changes in the room. What can you now see that you couldn't see in the dark?  Begin to consider how The Light of the World can come in and turn your places of darkness to light.  Write down your thoughts, dreams, aspirations, and promises of God.  Not only are you experiencing The Light of the World, but now recognize the Prince of Peace resting, abiding, and ready to take rule in your heart.

In your heart during this Christmas season, prepare Him room today and in the days ahead!!!