Dear Friend,  

Reflection by Michael Burt

Make Room for the Baby Jesus

My solitude preparing a reflection for today comes after spending the better part of a rainy Sunday with my family focused on the toy closet – making room for the toys that are sure to arrive on Christmas morning.

To reduce the mind-wandering distraction of deciphering noises in the house, I listen to music. On this night, my choice was Country Christmas Music.

Joseph was abiding by the first stage of Jewish custom for marriage (Hebrew: kiddushin); his focus was on his betrothed wife, Mary. I envision him applying his skill as a carpenter, making room in a home for Mary in at least a part of her “about three months” (Luke 1:56) visit with Elizabeth.

Fully aware that Mary is expecting before the completion of their marriage (Hebrew: nissuin), the ceremonial entrance by a wife to be with her spouse, Joseph must weigh the biological absolute and the words of an angel as he prepares himself to welcome a child.

As I delve deeper in reflection, I find myself intercepted by the chorus of a Tracy Byrd song that is playing:

No room, no room

Sorry but we're too full to let you in

No space, no place for the Baby Jesus

No room

This reference to the concluding line of Luke 2:1-7 advances me to the perilous journey of the young couple who travels to register for a census ordered by King Herod. Their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem is over 90 miles through treacherous terrain. (FYI: the GPS app Waze estimates 40 hours of walking). Mary, who is nine months pregnant, is uncomfortable, cold at night, and just hurting all over. Yet the exhausted Joseph endures and prepares for the arrival we celebrate 2,023 years later while carrying himself with a grace I cannot match in cleaning a closet. 

Our blessings are likely to reveal themselves not in exotic settings but in everyday tasks and trials.

Make room for unfailing hope, abundant joy, love that knows no bounds, and a transcendent peace to come with the birth of Jesus.

We are at the midpoint of Las Posadas (Spanish: “The Inns”). The religious tradition of Mexico spans nine days (December 16 and 24), reflecting upon Joseph and Mary's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Each evening of the festival, there is a procession of children carrying candles and an image of Joseph, with Mary riding a donkey. Adults follow close behind, praying, singing, and playing instruments as the procession arrives at the doorstep of the homes within the town.  Each night, as they arrive at a home, the children are denied entry: “There is no room!” On the final night, when they arrive, the homeowner invites them in for a celebration.

“Each of us is an Innkeeper who decides if there is space for Jesus.”  Neal A. Maxwell

Pause and open your heart to the moving lyrics of Tracy Byrd: No Room.

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Michael Burt, B.S. is the Senior Director of Seminary Advancement for Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University.