When Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem from Nazareth to be enrolled for taxation, the city was buzzing with activity. They went to the Inn but found it was already full. But they must have a place for the night. Mary was about to be delivered of her Child. Whether she and Joseph were aware of it or not, God had revealed 700 years before, through the prophet Micah, her Baby, the Son of God, to be named Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, the Saviour of the world, was to be born in Bethlehem. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).

What a marvel to see God moving the heart of Caesar Augustus to declare an edict that would bring Mary to Bethlehem, that the prophecy might be fulfilled in the right place and time determined by God! And though the "NO VACANCY" sign was out, so to speak, yet God moved the heart of the innkeeper to arrange a place in the stable. It was there Jesus was born and laid in a manger for His bed!

Was the fact that "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7) an omen as to the future course of the Lord Jesus on earth? I verily believe it was. In John 1:11 we read, "He came unto His own [things] and His own [people] received Him not." There was "no room" for Him in the hearts of the people of Israel.

When He delivered the man possessed with demons, the men of the country of the Gadarenes prayed Him to depart out of their coasts. Their swine were more valuable to them than Jesus and the soul of the delivered man. There was "no room" for Him in the region of Galilee of the Gentiles.

When apprehended by the mob who hated Him without a cause; when betrayed by Judas; when brought before Pilate, the Scribes, Pharisees and Rulers of the people slammed the door in His face, crying vehemently, "Crucify Him! … We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:6,15). There was "no room" for Him in the religious, social and political life of either Jew or Gentile.

Is it any different today? Alas, sad to say, No! The world as a whole has shut the door upon Him who alone can, and some day will, solve the problems that increasingly persist. Nevertheless, He still stands and knocks on the heart's door of every individual, pleading, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice , and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20). Is there room in your heart for Him?

The hymn writer puts forth the question of the hour:

Have you any room for Jesus,
   He who bore our load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission,
   Sinner, will you let Him in?

Room for pleasure, room for business—
   But for Christ the Crucified,
Not a place that He can enter,
   In the heart for which He died?

Room and time now give to Jesus,
   Soon will pass God's day of Grace;
Soon thy heart be cold and silent,
   And thy Saviour's pleading cease!

Room for Jesus, King of Glory!
   Hasten now, His word obey;
Swing thy heart's door widely open,
   Bid Him enter while you may.