Christmas is nearly impossible to miss—or is it? While the decorations, gifts, and activities are everywhere, it's surprisingly easy to miss the peace and hope that Christmas truly brings. The message of Christmas is life-changing, yet many people go through the entire season experiencing absolutely no life change at all.

We find the familiar Christmas story in Luke chapter 2, but there's a background character we rarely consider—the innkeeper. While nativity scenes feature Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, and wise men, this crucial figure is notably absent. Yet his role in the events surrounding them all reveals something profound about our own hearts.

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem for the census, they desperately needed a place to stay. Mary was in labor, but the innkeeper told them there was no room. This man had the opportunity to host the birth of our Savior, but he missed the most significant moment in history.

Why was there no room? Before we judge the innkeeper too harshly, consider that his condition might not be much different from our own. The physical space that Jesus desired in that moment is simply a picture of the spiritual space He desires in our hearts today.

Revelation 3:20 says, "Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I'll come in and we'll share a meal together as friends." Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, but too often we respond with "no vacancy."

Three Reasons There May Be No Room for Jesus:

1. Busyness

Bethlehem was a small village that became overwhelmed when thousands came for the census. The innkeeper was likely overrun with customers, trying to manage supplies and meet everyone's needs. He was simply too busy to find room for one more family.

Are you too busy to make room for Jesus this Christmas? Between traditions, activities, shopping, and countless obligations, it's easy to become so preoccupied that we forget the real reason for the season. We tell ourselves we'll find better balance once this busy season passes, but when does it actually slow down?

Many people say, "My life is so busy, I don't have room for another thing." Out of our own mouths comes the truth—there's no room. The danger is that busyness creeps into our theology, making us believe we must constantly do things for God rather than simply receiving what He's already done for us. Christmas isn't about filling our lives with something; it's about filling our hearts with someone.

2. Bondage

Another theory suggests the inn was full of Roman soldiers executing the census. These soldiers represented the bondage that the Jewish people lived under—involuntary slavery to an occupying force. While we like to think of ourselves as free, many of us have become slaves to something: habits, relationships, substances, or careers. 

How do you know if you are in bondage? Consider these questions:

• What's the first thing you think about when you wake up?

• Do you schedule your life around it?

• Have others expressed concerns about it?

• Do you make excuses for it?

• Have you kept aspects of it secret?

If something meets these criteria, it may be controlling your life instead of God controlling your life. Our hearts were designed with a space that only God can fill. God left Himself out of everything so that nothing could satisfy you without Him.

3. Bitterness

The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was 75 miles of mountainous terrain—an 8-10 day trek while Mary was at full-term with her pregnancy. Perhaps when they arrived, family members rejected them, causing hurt and bitterness. We've all been hurt by family issues, marriage problems, or friendship conflicts. The question is: what have you done with that hurt? Have you stuffed it, stewed on it, or spewed it everywhere?

Hebrews 12:15 warns about "poisonous roots of bitterness" that grow up to trouble us. Bitterness is like a root—it's often hidden, and it takes up space in our hearts that's reserved for God's blessings. As long as your heart is filled with bitterness, there's no room for God's peace, joy, and contentment. You'll never have peace until you make peace. Having peace is worth more than being right.

Make Room for Jesus

Invite Him in. You don't have to clean up your life before inviting Christ into your life. Many people think they need to get everything together first, but that day never comes. We don't get it all together to follow Christ—we follow Christ and He puts us back together. Jesus is the best type of guest. When you invite Him in, He does all the cleaning. He'll clean up the bitterness, break the bondage, and bring order to the busyness.

Be a good host for Jesus. The saddest part of the innkeeper's story is that he did give them some room—just not room fit for a king. Many of us have given Jesus some space in our lives, but not the space fitting for the King of Kings.

Jesus wants quality time with you. He looks forward to your time together reading His Word and praying. He misses you when you don't show up. This time isn't just for your spiritual benefit—it means something to Him as well.

This Christmas, turn on the light of your heart to welcome Jesus. Don't let busyness, bondage, or bitterness cause you to hang a "no vacancy" sign on your heart. Make intentional space for the One whose birth we celebrate.