Let every heart prepare Him room
- Amy Loflin
- Nov 29, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 7, 2024
Over the next few weeks, we'll spend time pondering a line from a well-known Christmas hymn and allow it to shape our hearts and minds for the season.
A couple of weeks ago my husband and I purchased a new rug and entertainment console for our den, and we had some work to do before the delivery. We vacuumed and shampooed the old rug, and cleaned the floor underneath. The random assortment of items that had accumulated over the years in each drawer and cabinet in the old entertainment center had to be sorted. Some things were tossed, others given away or kept. And, don't get me started on the amount of dust that had stockpiled under and behind the furniture! Then we had to corral muscle to help us remove the old pieces. It was quite a process to prepare the room for the new arrivals.
I compare that to this beautiful line in a well-known hymn: "Let every heart prepare Him room". And I can't help but sigh in gratitude that receiving Jesus is very different than preparing space for new furniture.
He doesn't expect us to clean up our lives before He enters in. All we have to do is crack the door.
Jesus is thrilled to enter right into our mess. He delights in our receptivity and looks past the stains, wear and tear, and collected dust bunnies. Often we think we have to clean up our lives before we choose to follow Him, but that's simply not the case. We open our hearts to Him, and invite Him to do the work and growth in, through, and with us. What an incredible Savior we have!
So, what does it mean to "let every heart prepare Him room"? It looks different for everyone, but here are a few suggestions on how to keep this season focused on His arrival:
Grab daily quiet time, even if it's just 5 minutes, to sit and pray.
Spend time reading and reflecting on a scripture reading plan. We've created a printable bookmark (attached below) that contains a December Reading Plan especially for you. Print it on cardstock to enjoy during quiet moments this season or collectively with your family.
Christmas carols are fun and festive, but be sure to listen to Christmas hymns, too. Open your heart to hearing the beautiful lines with fresh ears. What are you learning from them?
Enjoy one of many devotional books or YouVersion Bible plans dedicated to Advent and the Christmas season.
We pray this season is a space of renewal, peace, and joy for you and yours.
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