Ushering in the King
USHER
: to serve to bring into being <a discovery that ushered in a period of change>
: to mark or observe the beginning of <ushered in the new year with merrymaking>
I'm up early this morning, not with intention to write, but to help get my husband out the door. I had intentions to work this morning, but God had a different plan. I sat down on the couch and turned on iTunes radio to my favorite praise station. The Christmas tree was lit up in the tranquility of the house. I'm learning that when I make space for God, He makes space in my heart. How come I have such a hard time making space for Him, though?
Although I desire to make room, I never want to be like the Innkeeper.
Can you imagine? Hearing a knock in the middle of the night. Every house dark. Only the light of the stars lighting up their shadows. The Innkeeper opened the door only to say his home was full. He turned away our Savior. He turned away grace itself. He pointed them to a dirty, second happen-stance place for the night. Animals. Dirty. Chilled.
Yet, it was the dirty and ones that couldn't speak for themselves that our Lord chose to be born among. Yes, our Sovereign God strategically placed those words in the Innkeeper's mouth so that Jesus would be welcomed among the lowly as a symbol of His mercy. But yet, the Innkeeper is such an example for us of what not to do.
May we not turn Him away because there is no room in our hearts.
May we lay palm branches at the feet of his donkey.
May we lean in through the opposite crowds just to get a glimpse and touch His garment.
May we rest in His Sovereignty.
May we arise when we hear the words "take your mat and walk."
May we not waver in reflecting Him this Christmas season.
LET US USHER IN THE KING.
The newborn King. Fragile. With careful intention. Purposefully feeding Him in our hearts with the Bread of Life. ...with space for Him to lay, rest, and do His work.
Let us usher Him in with grace. Let us welcome Him in with quiet reverence. Let us be still in the moment of His birth. In the awe of mercy coming from a tiny baby boy.
Let us sit. Our eyes mesmerized. By His light, hung from a tree. A star on top to guide our way. Light, shone from a tree. Light radiating from every corner. Inside. Outside. Throughout each branch. The branches that His arms stretched out upon.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
May we never forget the moments of quiet before the little ones go pit pat pit pat across the floor.
May these moments always be made sweet by His presence.
May we never stop playing our instruments proclaiming Your Love. Your Grace. Your Mercy. Your light that shines from a tree.
Let us usher Him into our hearts. Even if it's just by sitting and enjoying light hung on a tree. May we not forget that saving light.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Sister, will you join me in making room?
