Episode Details

In this episode, we explore the theme of "Make Room for Jesus" by examining the various ways God communicates with His people, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how we can create space in our hearts for His voice.

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Full Transcript Below:

Make Room for Jesus

By: Whitney Hopler 

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” – Luke 2:6-7, NIV 

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem for a census before Jesus was born, there was no room for them to stay. Despite centuries of prophecy, anticipation, and hope, no one made room for the newborn Jesus. Instead, Jesus was born in an animal stable, which was an unlikely beginning for the world’s Savior – yet one that reveals God’s loving humility. 

This lack of space for Jesus in Bethlehem has a message for us today. The Savior, then and now, seeks a place in our lives. But we, too, can often neglect making room for him when we’re too busy and stressed. Distractions and demands can crowd out Jesus, despite the fact that he offers us ultimate peace. If we don’t intentionally make room for Jesus in our hearts, minds, and lives, we risk missing out on the blessings Jesus wants to give us. 

Jesus wants to connect with us in our hearts. Yet emotions, attachments, ambitions, and even wounds can fill up our hearts and leave little room for receiving the love Jesus wants to give us. It’s easy to say we love Jesus, but are our hearts open to truly receive Jesus’ love day by day? Making room for Jesus in our hearts means allowing him to be our first love. It requires us to open our hearts vulnerably to Jesus, confessing and releasing the burdens, idols, and attachments that occupy valuable space. Only when we let go of these distractions can we experience the fullness of Jesus’ love.

Jesus longs to give us a mindset that leads to peace and joy. However, too much of our mental energy can be consumed by worry, doubt, and the noise of endless information. Without realizing it, we might fill our minds with anxieties, trivial topics, or negative thoughts that push Jesus’ truth aside. Making room for Jesus in our minds involves consciously choosing to set our minds on what has eternal value. It means praying regularly, meditating on Bible passages, and asking the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. When we let Jesus transform our minds, we begin to view life through the lens of God’s wisdom, which enables us to trust Jesus more deeply.

Finally, making room for Jesus in