There's no room in the church

Yesterday, Hayley and I walked in a few minutes late into the Christmas Eve service. As we walked inside, there was no room for us to sit down it was not just us but about 100 or more people standing in the back while the Christmas worship songs were being sung. I embarrassingly looked around to find a couple of chairs where my wife and I could sit; there were none. No room.

After my short quest to find some chairs, I hoped someone would notice my pregnant wife and give her their chair. Soon the pastor announced that more chairs were added up front and for people standing in the back to come and sit. By the time we pushed through the crowd and made our way to the front, all those seats were taken. So, we awkwardly moved toward the wall, just by the front of the stage, and continued to stand and worship. After a few minutes of standing there, a family noticed my wife and I and moved their kids around making them share their seats and giving two chairs for my pregnant wife and me. There was no room in the church.

Every church I have been part of has experienced the same "good problem" every Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service. My dad, a lead Pastor of our church in India had to deal with the same issue today, there was no room in the church, so they had to end up adding more chairs outside the church hall so they could welcome everyone to be part of the service.

After settling down, I was just processing what just happened. And my wife whispered to me, "Maybe this could be your next topic to share on your blog, 'When there is no room in the church'." Later after the service, she said, "I was hoping someone would move so I could find a place to sit. One of the pastors was even willing to give away her seat so I could sit for just a few minutes until we found permanent seats." She works in the same church, so she knows that they added a few hundred chairs just for this reason, that more people attend the Christmas Eve service and we need to make room for everyone.

I believe there were all sorts of Christian believers, in the sanctuary yesterday. I know many people would like to go to church just as a part of many Christmas traditions they have, some just for the sake of going to church to say hello to Jesus once a year, and some who are there year-round no matter what happens. I also believe there were some missing too. Some believe there is no room for them in the church because they have past church hurts or because of people who have hurt them or let them down, causing them to lose their sense of belonging or acceptance in the church. And some probably never want to step into the church because they've never known the reason for the season.

To the ones who think they have no room in the church or feel they are not accepted, do not belong, or are not welcomed, I want to say that I am so sorry you feel that way. To the ones who attend service just during the festive seasons, I want to encourage you to find more time and opportunities to go to church in all seasons. To the ones who go to church every Sunday and are part of life groups making it a huge part of your spiritual life, know that every day is a Christmas day not just one day but every day. And to the one who never goes to church, I want you to know Christmas is "a representation of making room for the necessary things in their lives, family, friends, and most importantly Jesus."God made room for us by sacrificing His beloved son Jesus Christ. Mary and Joseph were not able to find room in the inn to give birth to Jesus, hence He was born in the manger. Despite not having the room, Jesus through His life, ministry, and sacrifice has made the greatest room for you and me unlike anybody. Jesus welcomes, accepts, and says you belong here right next to Him.

While many can argue that the church is broken, it is supposed to be perfect, or say going to church does not save us, I'd like to say it is not the church that saves us. The church is a body of believers, broken and messed up gathering to seek after a perfect God who fixes, mends, saves, and heals us. The body of believers gathers to support and support each other in our brokenness, and to help each other to walk in freedom and salvation in Jesus.

Jesus says,

"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." Rev 3:20

This Christmas, I pray and hope you make room for Jesus in your heart, and give church and God another chance. We have room for so many other things in our lives, more room for people, materials, and habits. I want to request and encourage everyone to make room for Jesus and seek to make more room for Him in your life. So I pray you open the doors of your hearts and room for church, encourage each other and spread the good news, pull that extra chair, and make extra time by making small or significant changes in your lifestyle. Christmas 2024 might come to an end, but the reason for Christmas should be observed and celebrated throughout all the years of our lives.

Merry Christmas, to you and yours.