“Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome, Holy Child, welcome Holy Child.

Hope that you don’t mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited holy stranger
Make yourself at home, please make yourself at home.”

The words of this Chris Rice song (sung by the queen of Christmas, Amy Grant) are a fitting anthem for this first week of December, the beginning of Advent. Traditionally, Advent marks the time of year when the Church commemorates the coming of Christ. We look behind in remembrance of the coming of Jesus as a baby into this world, and we look ahead to when Jesus will return to judge the world and usher in the final Messianic kingdom. We also look to the present, to how Christ comes into our personal lives and changes us. During Advent, we welcome Jesus again into the entire world, into our future, and into our lives. We invite him in, and we ask him to make himself “at home.” But do we really mean this?

When I welcome someone into my home, I offer them something to drink and try to make them comfortable. I focus on listening to them and asking them questions that will help me know them better. I make them a favorite meal. I get out the best guest towels - the fluffy ones at the back of the bathroom closet that are off-limits to my sons. I may light candles and pretend that my home always smells like Fresh Harvest Apple.

So, what would it look like for me, at this beginning of advent, to truly welcome Jesus again into my world - into my very home?

I must be honest. This is the busiest time of the year, and there is no end of things to do: buying gifts, wrapping, decorating, baking, planning elaborate meals...I tell the family that Christmas is my personal “Mom Super Bowl” (that’s the kind of language you speak when you have all boys). So, what if Jesus literally showed up at the door of my house during this season? I can imagine this scenario:

“Come on in, Jesus! So good to see you! Hey, I would love to give you a meal, but I am really busy here making ten different kinds of cookies for my family. I am sure you understand. I would love to offer you a place to sleep, but all the beds are taken. Four kids are a lot, am I right? And I would love to sit down and listen to you and talk with you, but I am so busy with activities celebrating, well, YOU, right now that I really don’t have time to talk. I really need to do some last-minute shopping. What? Why am I shopping? Um, it is the season of giving, right? I just know that I have to spend equal amounts of money on my kids or there will be drama. I am sure you get that. I have to go, Jesus. Watch TV if you like. Make yourself at home.”

In reality, I say “Welcome, Jesus”, but my heart has no room for Him to come in and make himself comfortable. When I am frantically busy, I am not resting in Him. I am not listening to His voice. I am not giving Him the worship He alone deserves. And when I am not in conversation with Him and looking to Him, I am left to look around at everybody else and let them dictate what my celebration should look like. Does Jesus want me to prioritize finding the perfect little set of silver reindeer at HomeGoods? I doubt it.

So maybe this year can be different. Maybe this year I can release the expectations I put on myself to have a perfectly decorated home and perfect presents and perfect food. Even if it means disappointing others, maybe I can say “Enough. It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it is enough.” And maybe this year I will then have enough time to actually sit with the guest of honor, the One who waits for an invitation to enter our homes and our hearts. He waits for us to invite him in, to sit with him, to talk with him. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” – Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

And when we invite Jesus into our lives and commune with Him, we realize that He is not a formal guest we have to impress. He is the best kind of friend—the kind of friend who knows that you did not clean your bathroom and that your closets are unorganized—and He loves you anyway. Instead of criticizing your messy life, He rolls up His sleeves and says, “Let me help.” He listens, He cares, and He has every resource that we need. What a Savior we welcome to our world! The majestic Son of God wants to be with us simply because He loves us. And how far he came to be with us: from the heights of heaven to the depths of the agonizing cross, all so we could be with Him forever.

Jesus, this advent season I open the door of my life to you again. Come in and make yourself at home in every nook and cranny of my heart. Show me where I am selfish, where I am anxious, and where I am prideful. Bring your light into the dark places of my life and forgive me for failing to keep first things first. Jesus, come in and make yourself comfortable here with me. I will not be in a hurry. I want to read your Word, and I want You to bring Your words to life in me. Let me hear Your voice above the endless chatter, and please give me the desire and strength to do Your will. I want to give You the attention and worship that You alone deserve. Amen.