Hop On My Harley Baby Jesus!

By Mary DeMent

Recently, I bumped into a lady from church at Wal-Mart. While talking on her cell phone, she paused to say hello. Hurried and discouraged she said, “I’ve just been to three stores and I can’t find anything with “Jesus” written on it! I guess I’ll just have to make it myself,” she resolved. Later that night, my sister-in-law called and voiced similar concerns. Annoyed, she blurted, “Where are the manger scenes? I see Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, even penguins but I can’t locate a decent manger scene!”

As I listened to her frustrations, my two year-old son played near my feet. He clutched his toy motorcycle. Down on all fours, he raced it around and around on the floor, zigzagging multiple toys, crashing into others. When he came upon the Fisher Price manger scene, he revved the engine. “Vrmm! Vrmm! Vrmm!” Next, without hesitation, he ramped the motorcycle up and over the manger. I chuckled, while thinking, “no room in the Inn? Hop on board my Harley, Baby Jesus!”

I laughed. Then my thoughts turned serious. If we don’t make room for Jesus in our stores, in our homes and in our lives, who will? I listen to the Christmas story and find it difficult to believe that no one could arrange room in the inn for these exhausted, young travelers. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was no hop, skip and jump. I’m certain their clothes and demeanors showed wear from the extensive journey. Yet, no one would allow Mary and Joseph into their cozy room. Granted, those door closers didn’t fully comprehend that God’s Son, a future King, the future Savior of the world snuggled inside Mary’s womb. Regardless, an enormously pregnant, weary, teenager stood outside the door needing a place to stay, not to recharge her iPod and cell, not to rest, but to labor, to deliver a baby. Still, no offers? No one had a bed they could give up for the night? Not even a cot, a piece of the floor, nothing?

Right in the middle of my judgmental moment, I paused. Am I any different? How much room am I willing to give Jesus and those He died for? Is my welcome mat out and inviting? Or, is a “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on the door of my life? How much of my time and energy do I offer Him, others? If I don’t prepare a meal, dry a tear, or slow down enough to see or hear the needs of those around me, who will?

“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 room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7 NIV).

“While they were there.” I wonder. Who has God sent into our individual areas, our neighborhoods, our work places, our shopping centers, our homes? They may not be registering for the census or delivering a baby, but I believe God has placed them along our paths. So, I encourage us: Let’s make room.