The town crier is out making announcements in the streets and marketplaces, the prophets are out predicting and prophesying: that a King and Saviour is coming at the instance of the Almighty God Himself. Purposed to deliver mankind from the clutches of the enemy and reconcile man to God.

This King will be known severally by the name: Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace [Isaiah 9: 6b].

The exact timing of the arrival of this King is only known to God. Even John the Baptist is out imploring the people to heed the prophetic notifications and start to prepare the way for this august arrival, as this is part of God’s grand salvation plan to save and reconcile with a sinful and degenerate world.

Meanwhile, God is putting finishing touches to His plans, preparing the route that the King will take: preparing a virgin betrothed to a carpenter as the vehicle to deliver this King into the world.

As it transpires, the time of arrival coincides with a very important public and civil event: the census. The people are out in their droves to be counted. Every available accommodation has been booked and taken up. The ‘Michelin star hotels’ and even the old fashion ‘bed and breakfasts’ have all been taken up; with every one of them displaying the sign: NO VACANCY

There’s NO ROOM IN THE INN!

The people have set their minds elsewhere, prophetic notifications have been forgotten. No preparation is made for the King’s arrival; no one to welcome Him. Arrival notices are now served to the virgin that will deliver this Holy Baby that the King is now truly on His way.

Panic! Several frantic attempts set into motion to find a kingly or at least a decent accommodation for the King to arrive in. But there’s NO ROOM IN THE INN!

Silently, in the quiet of the night, meekly the King arrives. No one takes any notice, no guns blazing, no trumpets sounding: NO ROOM IN THE INN!

Only a manger! a manger! with its inhabitants, the sheep, are at hand to welcome the King. The Anointed Shepherd, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer has truly arrived: seeking the lost, the unprepared, and the unwilling, regardless of their statuses and postcodes.

He is knocking and calling out again as He does every time: Do you have a ROOM IN THE INN! Or is your attention and focus elsewhere? Are you distracted by the ‘big events’ all around you? Have the ‘big events’ around you taken up the rooms and made you put up a NO VACANCY sign?

The Bible says: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” [Isaiah 9: 7a]. He gives peace to the troubled soul. He calms the raging and stormy mind. He brings order to the disorganised and chaotic life. All this, for free and out of love.

Jesus Christ says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” [Matthew 11: 28-30]

Is there an ‘INN’ in your life for Him? Would you welcome Him and give Him that space?