Introduction

Warm greetings, dear friends, on this blessed day! We gather here, not by coincidence, not by mere happenstance, but by divine appointment. We are here to share together in the richness of God’s Word, to be nourished by its truth, and to be transformed by its power.

Our focus today is on Luke 2:7. "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." This simple verse, tucked away in the second chapter of Luke's Gospel, is a treasure trove of spiritual truths waiting to be discovered.

We will be considering three main points today: Making Space for Salvation, Manifesting Spirituality in Spaces, and Maintaining Sacred Spaces. These themes may seem distinct, yet they are all interwoven in the beautiful tapestry of God's grand narrative of redemption.

In the words of one old writer Robert Louis Stevenson, "Loving God, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men." Indeed, the character of our spaces, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual, is a reflection of the character of our hearts. And it is in the heart where the true work of salvation begins and ends.

Making Space for Salvation

In the heart of the narrative, we find Mary and Joseph in a predicament. The city is bustling, filled to the brim with people. Every corner, every nook and cranny is occupied. There's no space for them, no room for them to rest. And yet, amid this chaos and rejection, salvation is born. This is a poignant image, isn't it?

The Savior of the world, coming into a world that has no room for Him. It's a stark reminder of how often we, too, find ourselves in a similar situation. Our lives are filled with so many things, so many activities, so many worries and concerns. We're always rushing, always moving, always doing. And in the midst of all this busyness, we often find that we have no room for Jesus.

But here's the thing. Salvation isn't just about Jesus coming into our world. It's about us making room for Him in our lives. It's about us clearing out the clutter, the distractions, the things that take up so much space and leave so little room for Jesus. It's about us making space for salvation.

The birth of Jesus in a manger is a powerful symbol of this. A manger isn't a grand place. It's not a palace or a temple. It's a simple, humble place. It’s a place for feeding animals. And yet, it's in this simple, humble place that Jesus is born. It's in this simple, humble place that salvation comes into the world. This means we have to create a simple, humble place in our hearts. A place where Jesus can be born. A place where salvation can take root. And how do we do this? How do we make space for salvation in our lives?

It starts with recognizing the things that are taking up too much space. The things that are crowding out Jesus. The things that are preventing us from experiencing the fullness of His salvation.

Applications continued. For some of us, it might be our work. We're so consumed with our jobs, with our careers, with our ambitions, that we have no time for Jesus. For others, it might be our relationships. We're so focused on pleasing others, on meeting their expectations, on keeping up appearances, that we have no room for Jesus. For still others, it might be our worries and fears. We're so overwhelmed by our anxieties, by our insecurities, by our doubts, that we have no space for Jesus. Whatever it is, whatever is taking up too much space in our lives, we need to let it go. We need to clear it out. Because it's only when we make room for Jesus that we can truly experience the joy of His salvation.

Manifesting Spirituality in Spaces

As we consider the manger scene, we can't help but notice the simplicity of the surroundings ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO