Do You Have Room?

This Christmas Sunday I was touched by two ideas taught by Elder Neal A. Maxwell - very applicable at this time of year, but always!  One thought refers to the star of Bethlehem and its orbit that was determined long before that important night.  The other is the lesson we can learn from the innkeepers.

In his 2002 talk entitled Encircled in the Arms of His Love, Elder Neal A. Maxwell refers to the star of Bethlehem to help illustrate how God has prepared the way for:

"Recall the new star that announced the birth at Bethlehem?  It was in its precise orbit long before it so shone.  We are likewise placed in human orbits to illuminate.  Divine correlation functions not only in the cosmos but on this planet, too.  After all, the Book of Mormon plates were not buried in Belgium, only to have Joseph Smith born centuries later in distant Bombay....

"The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that God, 'before [the earth] rolled into existence,...contemplated the whole of the events connected with the earth. ...[God] knew...the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human family, their weaknesses and strength, ...the situation of all nations and ... their destiny, ...and [He] has made ample provision [for mankind's] redemption.'  

"Part of God's 'ample provision' consists of imperfect people like you and me, committed to shining and serving in our appointed orbits, knowing all the while that we are encircled 'in the arms of [His] love.'"

Ten years earlier, in his talk entitled Settle This in Your Hearts, Elder Maxwell declared, "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!"  What would we have done if we were there that night?  How would we have made room for strangers traveling by in need of help?  How do we open our hearts and homes and lives to Him today, each day?  Are we distracted or embarrassed or busy or are we open and looking for ways to invite Him in?  :)

This is a BEAUTIFUL song and video reminding us of that message to make room for Him in our lives:



I'm grateful for the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ!  I'm grateful that our loving Heavenly Father sent Him to earth to live and die for us.  I'm grateful also that He sent us here to live and learn and come to know Him as we strive to understand the "orbits [we are] to illuminate."  I hope to work more diligently and purposefully to make room for Him each day!